
Class 



Book__^VLl5_ 



A 



U R I K K 



HISTORY OF MAINE 



BY 

GEORCxE J. VARNEY 

MEMBER OF MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



ILLUSTRATED 



PORTr.ANM), ME. 
McLELLAN, MOSIIER & CO, 
1888 



■ 01 
Copyright 
By McLellan, Moshek & Co. 
1888 



Stcrebtype(l and Printed by 

B. THURSTON & CO. 

Portland, Me. 



cr\^- 



TO THE 

YOUNG PEOPLE OF MAINE 

THIS STORY OF THE STATE 
IS DEDICATED 



PREFACE. 

Tnis nooK includes the author's earlier "Young People's 
History," and six entirely new chapters. The former work 
eiuled at the si'ttltMiient of the State boundaries in 1842, — 
a dale so remote that the book was less useful and enter- 
taininjjj than the eyitire story of the State, now for the first 
time presented to the people of Maine. 

Dealing exclusively with the formative period of the State, 
all mention in detail of the Temperance movement, then 
just beginning, was necessarily excluded. Whatever may 
]>v the ultimate outcome of our legislation on the subject, 
there can bo no gainsaying the good accomplished by our 
laws relating to this subject, both directly and even more 
powerfully in the wide-spread indirect influence over public 
opinion that has resulted therefrom. In the " Maine Law" 
a new phrase has been given to the political vocabulary — a 
phrase which has become known throughout the civilized 
world. 

The story of Maine in the Rebellion, — that noble record 
of brave men who helped save the Union, — and the later de- 
velopment of our natural resources, including the extension 
of railways and the 1)uilding up of industries of all kinds, 
which, since the war, have gone on with very little hindrance, 
were also left untold. 

These things imperatively demanded a hearing, and in 



8 PREFACE. 

this edition they are given in as exliaustive a manner as due 
regard to limits for general reading would allow. In thus 
extending our survey, it also seemed needful to give a new 
title to the work — one that would not convey the idea of in- 
completeness so noticeable in the former title-page. The 
new frontispiece will commend itself as moi-e appropriate 
than the State House, bringing to mind a stirring event of a 
critical time, while an index now appended is an increased 
convenience to every student. 

Finally, that the history of a State should be familiar to its 
children, whether old or young, would seem to require no 
elaborate argument. Within the past year this view has 
liad practical recognition in the issue of various historical 
series designed to this end. We have therefore undertaken 
in the following pages to piesenl, in a compact and pleas- 
ing manner, our own State history; believing that there is 
not a word of it that any of Maine's sons and daughters 
could wish were otherwise,— but that her name and fame 
are an heritage of honor to all ages. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER PAGB 

I The Coast Explored .... 13 

II The First Colony of Xew En-,-land . 20 

III Early Events on the Coast of Maine . 27 

IV Colonies and Colonists ... 33 
V Politics, Property and Civil Affairs . 40 

VI Counties, Customs and Characters . 45 

VII Wars and Rumors of Wars ... 52 

VIII Tlie Indians of Maine ... 57 

IX The First Indian War .... OS 

X The First Indian War, continued . 77 

XI The First French and Indian War . , 00 

XII Tlie First Frencli and Indian War, continued 93 

XIII Witchcraft, Piracies and an Indian Treaty 111 

XIV Queen Anne's War . . . .115 
XV The Beginning of Lovewell's War . . 123 

XVI The Destruction of Xurridgewock . . 131 

XVII Lovewell's Fight .... 136 

XVUI Manners and Customs of the English Settlers 144 

XIX King George's War . • . .155 



10 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER PAGE 

XX King George's "War, continued . 102 

XXI The Sixth and Last Indian War . . 167 

XXII The Dawn of the Eevolution . . 177 

XXIII Early Events of the Eevolution . . 184 

XXIV Arnold's Expedition, and the War in the East 191 
XXV Events of the Revolution on Sea and Land 199 

XXVI After the Eevolution . . . .209 

XXVII The Malta War .... 216 

XXVIII The War of 1812 . . . .223 

XXIX The British on the Penobscot . . 231 

XXX The Sepai'ation and Attendant Events . 238 

XXXI Men and Affairs after the Separation . 247 

XXXII Aroostook War,and Settlementof Boundaries 252 

XXXIII The Temperance Movement . . 258 

XXXIV Jlaine in the Eebellion . . .272 
XXXV From Williamsburg to Gettysburg . 281 

XXXVI From Gettysburg to the Close of the War 2S9 

XXXVII State Development, 1865-1888 . . 299 

XXX Vni The same — concluded ... 313 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



The Enterprize and Boxer . . . frontispiece 

Olil Apple Tree Planted at York in KiJi) . , .44 

Ancient Indian Inscription at Macliiasi)ort . . GG 

Garrison House at York, built about 1045 . . 103 

Monument of Halle, Xorrid^ewoek . . . 135 

View of LovcwcU's Battle-ground . . . 142 

Sir William Peppercll ..... 158 

Last Block House of Fort Halifax . . . . 1C9 

Governor Thomas Pownal .... 173 

General Henry Knox . . . . .217 

Governor William King ..... 242 



BRIEF 

HISTORY OF MAINE. 

CHAPTER I. 

1. My young friends will remember tliat Cliristo- 
])lier Columbus made his famous voj^age of discovery 
ill 1492. On this voyage he discovered islands only, 
and did not reach the great western continent until 
his third voyage, in 1498. 

2. But John Cabot and his son, Sebastian, were 
before him here ; for they had sailed along the coast 
from Newfoundland to Albermarle Sound the year 
previous. They took possession of the country in 
the name of the English sovereign; but England 
soon became so busy with affairs at home that she 
made no attem[)t to settle the new country for nearly 
a hundred years. 

3. Yet J should here speak of other visits made 
long before this time. Certain marks found on the 
rocks of Monhegan Island and at one or two points 
on the mainland, are thought by some to show that 
the Norwegians, who peopled Iceland and Greenland, 
also visited the coast of Maine about the year 990, 
and later. It is also said that our coast was seen by 
Verrazzani, a French navigator, in 1524 ; by Gomez, 
a S[)aniard, in 1525; and by an Englishman named 
Rut, in 1527. Again, in 1556, a Catholic priest 
named Andre Thevet sailed in a French ship along 
the whole coast; spending several days in Penobscot 
Bay, where he held conferences with the natives. 
Yet all these belong to the ancient period, and noth- 
ing came of any of them. 



14 HISTORY OF MAINE. 16^2 

4. It was in 1602, the last year of the reign of the 
"Good Q.ieen Bsss," that Bartholemew Gosnold sailed 
along the coast of Maine ; and, though he did not give 
any exact account of his voyage, we know that he 
touched at the Isles of Shoals, and at other points 
northward. He came at last to a long, bending arm 
of land stretching out to sea, where he caught many 
codfish, and therefore called it Cape Cod. The next 
year^ just a few days after the death of Queen Ehza- 
beth,' Martin Pring started from England with two 
vessels, bound on a trading voyage to America. One 
of his vessels was named "Speedwell," and carried 
thirty men and boys ; the other was the "Discoverer," 
carrying only thirteen men and one boy. Early in 
June they sailed into a bay which contained many 
islands ; and beyond it was "a high country full of 
great woods." It was Penobscot Bay, They found 
here good anchorage and plenty of fish. Some of the 
company went ashore at the islands, seeing on one of 
them some silver-gray foxes ; so they gave this group 
the name of Fox Islands, which it bears to this day. 
Captain Pring had brought a stock of bright colored 
clothing, with hatchets, knives, kettles, brass and silver 
bracelets, rings, and other cheap and showy orna- 
ments, such as savages hke, in order to trade with the 
natives. Not meeting with any of these about the 
Penobscot, he sailed southward, passing through Casco 
Bay, and ascending Saco river six miles. The compa- 
nies were dehghted with the many fine groves and 
strange animals they saw, but found no Indians until 
they came to Narragansett Bay. Here they ex- 
changed their merchandise for furs and sassafras, and 
went back to England with a valuable cargo, 

5. Then King James sent out Captain George Wey- 
mouth in the ship Archangel ; who, in May, 1605, an- 
chored his vessel on the north side of an island, now 
known to be Monhegan. The long boat was lowered, 
and Captain Weymouth went on sliore and took pos- 



1605 THE COAST EXrLOKED. 15 

session in tlie name of liis sovereign. He named the 
island St. George ; also setting up a cross in token 
that he meant to esta1)lish there the Christian religion. 
They found ashes and coals, showing where a fire had 
been only a short time before ; and they knew by this 
there were human beings near. Close by the fire, too, 
were the shells of eggs — bigger than those of a goose; 
and they saw many sea fowl about the place — some 
of them large enough to have laid the eggs. They 
also caught from the vessel thirty large cod and had- 
dock. A mimber of small mountains were in view 
from here, while away to the w^est were the grand 
White Mountains of New llampslm-e, which these 
^•^)yagers called the "Crystal Hills." Then, sailing 
toward these hills, they (juickly came to a tine haven 
in the maiidand, wdiich Captain Weymouth named 
Pentecost Harbor, because they entered it on that 
day of the Christian year. This is supposed by some 
to be Townsend Harbor in Boothbay, though others 
believe it to have been George's Island Harbor, wdiicli 
is a little to the east. Here they staid for several 
days, resting themselves from their long voyage. 
Some planted a garden, and sowed barley and pease ; 
while others explored the rivers, harbors and islands. 
In sixteen days from the planting of their garden some 
of the vegetal)les had grown to eight inches in height. 
These were the first fruits of English culture on the 
shores of New England. 

6. Though Captain Pring fouiul no Indians here, 
Captain AVeymouth met wnth a great number ; and they 
brought many furs to exchange with him for triidcets. 
There was no hah' on the face of these Indians, and 
that on their heads was black, coarse and straight. It 
was cut short over the forehead, and the remainder 
tied up in a single mass, which hung over their l)acks. 
Their skin was of a dark copper color, where it was 
not painted ; and the oidy clothing they wore was a 
short coat about the waist. At one time several 



16 HISTOKY OF MAINE. 1605 

women and two boys came clown tLe shore to- look at 
the white strangers and their ship. The boys were 
only two or three years old — fat, liv ely httle fellows ; 
but all naked except that they wore leathern buskins 
laced nearly to the knees, and held in place by strings 
running up to a belt about their waists ; and tliis belt 
was hung full of little round pieces of copper. 

7. One day the natives met the Enghsh, as they came 
ashore, with more than usual pohteness, and led them 
to some fires around which many others of the Indians 
sat laughing and talking, while puffs of smoke rose 
trom their mouths. Probably these sailors had never 
before seen any one smoke, for tobacco was an Ameri- 
can plant, then but httle known in Europe, The 
English were seated on deer-skins ; and the pipe, 
made of a lobster's claw, was passed to them ; and they 
sucked the smoke into their mouths just as the chrty 
natives did. Doubtless it made them feel quite sick, 
but they pretended that it was good. They called 
this operation "drinldng tobacco." 

8. Not long after, the English and Indians grew 
suspicious of each other ; and both parties were quite 
cautious in their intercourse. "When Captain Wey- 
mouth was nearly ready to leave the place, two canoes 
came to the ship, with three Indians in each. Two of 
them from one of the canoes climbed on board, and 
they were immediately thrust below deck. The one 
who had been left in the canoe pretty soon put ashore, 
having heard, probably, the outcries of his imprisoned 
companions. Those in the other canoe did not come 
on board, and a dish of pease was given them wher& 
they were. They went ashore to cat them ; and when 
these were finished they sent a brisk young fellow 
back with the bowl. So the sailors caught him; and 
then seven or eight of them went in a boat which they 
called the "light horseman," to capture the other 
savages, taking with them another dish of pease, — an 
article of which the natives were very fond. They 



I 



1605 THE COAST EXPLORED. 17 

went to the fire the savages had kindled ; hut the 
one who had been frightened ashore ran away into 
the woods. The other two remained; and when 
well occupied with the viands, they were seized and 
forced down to the shore. It was as much as the 
eight men could do to get them into the boat ; for 
their clothing was not sufiicient to hold them, and 
they had to l)e dragged on board by their topknots. 
This act of Captain Weymouth was no doubt wrong ; 
but it must be remembered that the ideas of personal 
rights in that day were not as clear as ours ; besides, 
he intended to have them instructed in his language 
and rehgion, which, certainly, would be a benefit to 
them and their brethren, as well as to the English 
merchants and colonists. 

9. As Captain Weymouth was preparing to sail, 
two other canoes with seven savages came to the sliip. 
These were very stylishly fixed up with paint, furs, 
feathers and jewels. Some of their faces were painted 
black, with white eyebrows; other faces were red, 
with a stripe of blue across the nose, upper lip and 
chin. They had jewels in their ears, and bracelets of 
round bits of bone on their arras. One had a coronet 
of fine stutf lilvc stifi' hair colored red, while others 
wore on then" heads the skins of birds with the feathers 
on. This was a royal embassy which had come to 
invite the strangers to the court of the Bashaba, or 
King of the Inihans. I do not know what Weymouth 
said to them, but he did not want to go ; for, you 
know, lie had at that very moment five of the Bas- 
hal)a's sulijects shut up in tlie hold of his vessel. 
When the eml)assadors left, Ca[)tain Weymouth sailed 
away as soon as he could. When he got to England 
he gave three of the Indians to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, 
— of whom we shall presently learn more. 

10. The French, also, were growing more active on 
the northern coast ; and this, probably, was one reason 
why Weymouth had been scut there. A year before 



18 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1605 

liis voyage a company had left France to found a 
colony somewhere hi the north. It was led by Sieur 
de Monts, a Huguenot, or French Protestant; while 
his seventy followers were both Huguenots and Catho 
lies. Their pilot was Samuel Champlain, who had 
already explored the St. Lawrence River in the service 
of France. De Monts explored the Bay of Fundy, 
and discovered the St. John's River; but they 
chosa for the place of settlement an island at the 
mouth of the St. Croix River, since called St. Croix 
or Neutral Island. Here tliey built a fort, and within 
it several cabins and a chapel. So much wood was 
used in building, that little remained on the island ; 
and they were obliged to go to the mainland on the 
west for both water and fuel. They suffered dread- 
fully with the scurvy, and before spring half their 
number died. As soon as warm weather came, all 
that remained of the colony went again on board the 
vessel, and sailed away westward in search of a more 
suitable place for a plantation. They first visited 
Penobscot Bay, having before heard of the region 
under its Indian name, J^orumbegua. Continuing 
their voyage, they went unconsciously past Pentecost 
Harbor, where, probably, Weymouth's vessel then lay 
at anchor. At Kennebec, De Monts set up a cross 
and claimed the country in the name of the king of 
France. But this was of no effect, as Weymouth had 
already taken possession for the English Idng ; and 
according to the usage of the Christian world, any new 
country belonged to the nation which first took pos- 
session in due form. Next, Casco Bay spread its 
smooth waters and picturesque islands before the rov- 
ing Fren(;hmen; but still they sailed on, past rocky 
headlands, sparkling rivers and verdant hills, until the 
sandy curves of Cape Cod hemmed them in. At this 
point they encountered savages, with whom they had 
a skirmish. They went no farther, but turned back to 
then' starting place ; finding at St. John's another ves- 



1605 THE COAST EXPLORED. 19 

sol witli forty more colonisto. Both ships now went 
ac'i'oss the bay, where they founded a town wliich they 
called Port Eoyal. It was on the site of the present 
town of Annapolis. Here, for nearly three years, 
they lived an easy, roHicking life. They carried on a 
profitable trade with the natives about them, obtauiing 
abundance of corn, venison and furs. Eut the vessels 
of the Dutch merchants now came along the coast and 
interfered with their trade, and, worse still, the kmg 
revoked their charter; so, in the spring of 1608, they 
abandoned the country. 

In what year was the continent of America discovered? la 
what year did Gosnold visit the coast of Maine? What islands 
were named by Pring ? Wliat river did he ascend? Who took 
possession of the territory of Maine in the name of the English 
king? What name did he give to the While Mountains of New 
Hampshire? What was his object in carrying away Indians? 
What Frenchman was on the coast of Maine at the same time with 
Weymouth? Where did De Mont's colony pass the prcvioui 
•winter? 



20 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1606 



CHAPTEE 11. 

1. Yoli have now learned of four famous voyages to 
tliis coast, and that none of them formed any settle- 
ment which was sustained. But when the ships 
returned, their companies showed the many curious 
tilings they had brought, and told such wonderful 
stories about what they had seen, that a great many 
people became interested in the far off country be- 
neath the sunset. So in 1606 a number of noblemen, 
gentlemen and merchants belonging about London 
and Plymouth in England, joined themselves together 
for the purpose of sending out colonies, and of making 
Christians of the heathen natives. This association 
was called the "jS'orth and South Virginia Company;" 
and Kmg James granted to it ail the territory between 
the thirty-fourth and forty-fifth degrees of north lati- 
tude. The London men chose for their portion the 
division south of the Hudson River, while those of Ply- 
mouth took the part north of the mouth of that river. 

2. In August of the same year the Plymouth com- 
pany sent out two ships under Tliomas Hanham, one of 
the company, to make a settlement at Sagadahoc ; but 
one of the vessels was caj)tured by the Spaniards, and 
the otlier, after a short stay on the coast, returned to 
England. Li December the London company sent 
out three ships with planters; and these became the 
founders of Jamestown in Virginia. Li June of the 
next year tlie Plymouth company again sent out two 
vessels with an hundred and twenty colonists. The 
leader of the expedition was Captain George Popham, 
brother to Lord Jolm Popham, chief justice of Eng- 
land. His ship was named the "Gift of God"; and 
the other, the "Mary and John," was commanded by 



1G07 THE FIRST COLONY OF NEW ENGLAND. 21 

Captain Raleigli Gilbert. On the sixteenth of August 
they hinded on an ishmd; finding a cross, by which 
they knew it to be the one Captain Weymouth had 
visited, afterward called Monhegan. 

3. On board of the "Mary and John" was Skid- 
warroes, one of the savages who had been carried 
away by Weymouth two years before. AVhen the 
poor fellow found himself once more so near his home 
he became much excited, and wished to go at once to 
liis native place near by on the mainland. Near mid- 
iiiglit Captain Gilbert manned his boat; and, guided 
liy the eager savage, ere dawn they were at Pema- 
•piid, now the town of Bristol. They landed in the 
early light of the morning, and approached a village 
of tlie natives. There was a sudden cry of alarm; and 
the warriors ran with hastily snatched weapons to 
drive the wliite men back. At the head of Ins braves 
was the chief of the village, Nahanada, — who was 
also one of those carried away by Weymouth, but 
returned the year before by Hanham. As soon a3 
Nalianada and Skidwarroes perceived each other, 
tliey ran together and eml)raced. Tlien the brethren 
and family of the restored savage came forward and 
joined in the hearty greetings. Two hours soon 
])assed, wlien Gilbert's party returned to the vessel, 
taking Skidwarroes with them. 

4. The next day was Sunday ; and the companies 
of both ships went asliorc on Monhegan; and here, 
beside tlie cross which Weymouth had planted, was 
preached the first sermon of New England. On 
Monday CaptrJns Popliam and Gill)ert, with fifty men, 
went again to Pemacpiid. Skidwarroes was with 
them, but Nahanada and his braves appeared dls- 
ti-ustful. The sight of so many armed men made them 
fear that the treachery of Weymouth was to be re- 
peated. Suddenly the savages withdrew into the 
wood, and Skidwarroes with tliem; wliere, from be- 
hind the trees, they menaced the white men with their 



22 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1<507 

arrows. It was the desire of the English to avoid 
bloodshed; so they retired to the boats and rowed 
across to the other side of the harbor, where they 
spent the night. The ships next sailed westward in 
search of the river Sagadahoc, or Kennebec. They 
passed Segnin (which they called Sutquin) without 
recognizing it, and examined the islands on the north- 
ern shore of Casco Bay. Then a storm arose and 
drove them away to the eastward. When the storm 
wa§ over they again tm'ned westward; and just at 
night the "Gift of God" got into the month of the 
river Sagadahoc; and in the morning she sent her 
boat and helped in the "Mary and John." 

5. They now searched about for a good site for 
their town, and finally chose the peninsula of Sabino, 
so called from Sebenoa, the sagamore of the region. 
This peninsula is part of the present town of Phips- 
burg. It lies on the western side of the Kennebec at 
its mouth, and contains, perhaps, one or two hun- 
dred acres. It is almost an island, having the Ken- 
nel)ec on the east, the sea on the south, Atkin's Bay 
on the north and west, while a narrow neck on the 
southwest alone connects it with the mainland. Fort 
Popliam, a fine fortification of stone, now stands on 
the northeastern extr.emity, commanding the river; 
on the northern shore are a few small houses ; and on 
the east of the steep woody hill that runs across the 
peninsula from north to soutli, stands a fine old house 
with a flag staft' in front. A little southward of this 
liouse, at the foot of a grassy slope, is a beautiful little 
sheet of fresh water ; while, only a few rods away on 
the other side of a bank of sand scantily covered with 
vegetation, beat the surges of old ocean ; and the 
waves have been known in time of storms to dash 
quite over the narrow bound into the quiet httle pond. 

6. On Wednesday, the 29th day of August, 1607, 
the colonists went on shore and engaged in a religious 
service, led by Kichard Seymour, their chaplain. The 



1007 THE FIRST COLONY OF NEW ENGLAND. 23 

Plymouth company had given them a sealed package 
containing the laws and a list of ol'Hcers for the gov- 
ernment of the colony ; and after the service this was 
opened and read. They found that Captain Geoi-ge 
Popham was their president, and Captain Raleigh 
Gill)ert admiral. Tlien they went to work building 
a fort, storehouse and dwellings, and even a vessel. 
Digby, a ship carpenter from London, was the master 
l)uilder. She was called "Virginia," and her size 
was thirty tons. Her first voyage was made the next 
spring to Virginia, and thence to England. Therefore 
tiie Kennebec river, which has since sent out so many 
vessels, has the lionor of producing the first vessel 
built by English hands in America. 

7. While the colonists were erecting their dwellings, 
Captain Gilbert and his crew explored the coast, going 
through Casco Bay quite to Cape Elizabeth, lie 
next ascended the river on which the settlement was 
made, where he saw many natives, and visited one of 
their villages. Me offered them tobacco in exchange 
for their skins, but those they brought were so poor 
that he would not purchase tliem. This made the 
Indians angry, and the English barely got away 
without a serious fight. 

8. By and by some of the Wawennock tribe from 
the eastward visited the plantation, representing tiuit 
the Bashaba, their king, expected all strangers coming 
into his dominions to pay their respects at his court. 
The president sent a deputation to visit him, but it 
was driven back by a storm. AVhen the Bashaba 
learned of this misfortune he sent his son with a reti- 
nue to visit the president at Sabino. After such 
Iroatment as these people had received from Wey- 
mouth, this action was a mark of a generous nature. 

1). The Indians were for some time after this quite 
intimate with the colonists. At one time forty men, 
women and children, being on a visit to the planta- 
tion, sat down to meat with the English. Thcj 



24 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^07 

attended worship, also, behaving with great reverence. 
Indeed, they were so much impressed with the gov- 
ernment and religion of the Engli.di, that they would 
say, "King James is a good king, and his God is a 
good God ; bnt our god, Tanto, is a nau2:hty god." 

10. The colonists were industrious; and by the time 
the winter came on with its sleet and snow, they had 
finished a storehouse, one large dwelling, and a num- 
ber of small cottages. They had also completed their 
fort, which they named St. George, in honor of their 
president. But with the winter came trouble. Quar- 
rels arose between them and the natives ; and tradition 
tells us of two fatal affrays. Once the planters got 
the Indians to assist in moving one of the cannon in 
the fort; and while they were pulling on a long rope 
directly in range of the gun, it was discharged. 
Though the gun was loaded with powder only, some 
were killed, others knocked over and injured, and the 
remamder badly frightened. 

11. The men, probably, liad not intended to do them 
any harm, but to impress them with a wholesome 
dread of their weapons; yet this action only tended to 
produce the very liostility they feared. In a quarrel 
which luippened a little later, one of the English was 
killed and the others driven out of the fort, leaving 
the Indians in possession. In ransacking the store- 
house, which was within the fort, tlie Indians came 
upon a cask of powder; not being able to make out 
what it was, they scattered it about very freely. 
Pretty soon it caught tire, and then there was an 
explosion. I do not know how many of the Indians 
were killed, but all the others were quite overcome 
with terror. They thought the God of the English 
had done it because he was angry with them for killing 
the white stranger; and they besought the planters to 
forgive them and be their friends. But their peni- 
tence did not last long, and they were soon more hos- 
tile than ever. 



1608 THE FIRST COLOXT OF NEW ENGLAND. 25 

12. The explosion liad set the storehouse on fire, and 
all the provisions of the colonists and the furs they liad 
bought were burned up ; and for the remainder of the 
winter they were obliged to live on fish, a little lean 
game, and even dog meat. The season, too, was a 
terribly cold one ; and their weak, little cabins could 
not keep out the doleful winds and biting frosts. 
With all these privations and misfortunes, it is no 
wonder that the men grew low-spirited, and longed to 
be in their native England again. Many became 
sickly; but the only one who died was their good presi- 
dent, George Pupham. "I die content," said he; "for 
my name will be always associated with the first 
planting of the Enghsh race in the new world. My 
remains will not be neglected away from the home of 
my fathers and my kindred."" You see that he did 
not suppose the plantation would be given up; and 
the belief that he had been useful to his country was 
a consolation to the last hours of this aged pioneer. 
Yet the spot of his burial remains unknown to this 
day. 

13. The "Mary and John," and prol)ably, the "Gift 
of God," had returned to England in the autumn ; but in 
the spring a ship came with supphes. It brought the 
news of the death of cliief justice Popham, and of Sir 
John, brother of Ca])tain Gilbert. The death of the 
president had left Gilbert the chief in command; but, 
being his brother's heir, he determined to go back to 
England. In these men the colonists believed they 
had lost their best friends, and were altogether dis- 
couraged; so some returned to England witii Captain 
Gilbert, while otlicrs went in the little vessel they had 
built to Jamestown in Virginia. 

What company scut the first English colonies to America? 
Where was the tirst colony sent ? In what year was the settlement 
made in Virginia? In what year was the first colony planted ia 
Maine ? Who was the leader of this colony ? On what peninsula 



26 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^607 

did tliey settle ? Where is Habino ? What did they uame their 
fort? What name did they give to the vessel they built? Where 
was the first voyage of this vessel made ? What explorations did 
Captain Gilbert make ? What Indians often visited the colonists? 
What happened to their storehouse during the winter? What one 
of their number died during the winter? What ill news did they 
bear in the spring? What effect did these misfortunes have upun 
the colonists? 



^613 EAELY EVENTS ON THE COAST. 27 



CHAPTEK m. 

1. The next colony settled at Mt. Desert Island, 
wliich was then called St. Saviour. It was sent out in 
1613 by the French Cathohcs,and consisted of twenty- 
five colonists, together with the Jesuits, Biard and 
Massd, who had come to the coast a few years before. 

2. The Virginia magistrates soon heard of this set- 
tlement, and decided to remove the intruders at once ; 
for Mt. Desert was within the hniits of the charter 
which the English king had granted to the North and 
South Virginia Company. Eleven fishing vessels with 
fourteen pieces of cannon and sixty soldiers, under the 
command of Captain Samuel Argal, were sent against 
them. The French had two vessels in the harbor and 
a small fortification on shore; but this attack took 
them by surprise, and the place was easily captured. 

3. Several were wounded in this conflict, but the 
only one killed was a Jesuit named Gilbert Du Thet, 
who fell by a musket ball wliile in the act of aiming 
a ship's gun against the English. Argal treated his 
prisoners with kindness, giving them the choice to 
return to France by such vessels as they coidd find, 
or to go with him to Virginia. He also visited and 
captured Port Royal, where the French had again 
planted a small colony. 

4. All who have read tlie liistory of the United 
States will remember about Captain John Smith and 
Pocahontas. The same Captain Smith came in 1614 to 
the coast of Maine. He had two sliips and forty-five 
men, and meant on this or a later voyage to form a settle- 
ment. They touched at Monhegan first, then went to 
Sagadahoc. In this vicinity he built seven boats. 
Some of these were used by his men in fishing, wliilo 



28 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1614 

witli others he explored the coast and rivers. The 
men spent the best part of the fishing 'season in catch- 
ing whales, and in search of gold and copper mines. 
They found no mines, and the whales were not such as 
yield much oil; thus a great deal of time was wasted. 
They had one skirmish with the savages, in which they 
killed several, but came off themselves without loss. 

5. • Late in the summer Smith returned to England 
with a valuable cargo of fish and furs; but the other 
vessel staid behind. Her master was Thomas Hunt. 
Smith indignantly says of him, "He purposely tarried 
beliind to prevent me from maldng a plantation, and to 
steal savages." Hunt prowled along the coast as far as 
Cape Cod, capturing natives at several places. Finally 
he sailed away with twenty-seven of them; and going 
to Malaga, he sold them to the Spaniards for slaves. 

6. The next year Smith started again for the shores 
of Maine; but on the way he was captured by the 
French, and his colonizing schemes broken up. He 
always made good use of his time, however ; and soon 
after his liberation he published a map and a short 
history of the northeastern coast. It was in this work 
that the portion of our country called New England 
first received its name. Smith had explored the coast 
from Sagadahoc to Cape Cod, finding twenty-five har- 
bors and several large rivers, and visiting forty villages 
of the natives. 

7. How the rough islands. Jagged capes, and the 
many bays and snug Httle havens must have surprised 
him, as he paddled industriously among them ; and how 
pleasing the numerous rivers, with their woody liilh 
and grassy intervales ! Yet he did not see the lakes 
and the myriad ponds that held back the water from 
the sea, or the cataracts that throw it down; where, 
in after years, the ringing saws should cut up the for- 
est for house and ship, or larger mills spin and weave 
the wool and the cotton into cloth for the comfort of 
man. 



'^614 EARLY EVENTS ON THE COAST. 29 

8. The natives of Maine were at this time united in 
a confederation under a chief sachem, or king, called the 
Bashaba. They were divided into three nations; the 
Sokolds, who lived about the Saco river; the Abna- 
kis, on the Androscoggin, Kennebec, and several 
smaller rivers eastward; and the Etechemins, who 
occupied the country from the Penobscot river to the 
St. John's, in Nova Scotia. The Bashaba belonged to 
the Wawennocks, a powerful tribe of the Abnakis, 
wlio dwelt upon the small rivers on the coast between 
the Kennebec and Penobscot. 

9. Shortly after Captain Smith's visit, the Tarra- 
tines, or Penobscot Indians, who had become very nu- 
merous,. rebelled against the Bashaba. They defeated 
the warriors sent to subdue them; and, invading the 
Wawennock territory, killed the monarch, burned his 
villages, and nearly destroyed the tribe. Then other 
quarrels haj^pened among them, and many more were 
killed. After the war came a pestilence; and the 
Indians died in great numbers — even whole villages 
being swept away. The disease was so rapid and fatal 
that in some places none were left to bury the dead ; 
and their wliite bones were long after seen bleaching 
on the ground. The plague was the worst in the win- 
ter of 1616 and 1617; and a company of Englishmen 
spent this very season at the mouth of the Saco river. 

10. They visited the sick, and spent many nights 
with them in their cabins ; yet not one of the English 
had even so nnich as a headache. The leader of this 
company was Richard Vines, who had been educated a 
physician; and probably it was the cleanly and whole- 
some habits which he enforced among liis men, that 
saved them from the fhsease. Vines was in the employ 
of Sh" Ferdinando Gorges, and spent the winter on 
tliis sliore by his request, to try if the climate was too 
severe for English folk to endure. The place was 
named Winter lIarl)or; and Vines must have been 
much ])leased witli it, for he soon after made the Saco 
river liis permanent residence. 



30 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^19 

11. Gorges now persuaded tlie Plymoiitli company 
to make another attempt at settlement; therefore in 
1618 they sent out a vessel under Edward Rocroft. 
He was to find Captain Thomas Dermer, then at New- 
foundland, and proceed with him to form a plantation. 
He did not meet Dermer, but kept on to Monhegan. 
There he captured a French trading vessel and a large 
quantity of furs ; sending the Frenchmen to England 
in his own vessel, wliich was smallest. His crew soon 
after formed a plot to murder him for the sake of the 
cargo. But he discovered the plot ; and, running into 
Winter Harbor, set the conspirators ashore. Then he 
sailed away to Virghiia, where he was killed in a quar- 
rel with a planter. Probably Vines and his company 
had gone from Winter Harbor, or would not allow 
the conspirators to stay with them; for they made 
their way to Monhegan, and spent the winter there. 

12. Next came Captain Dermer, looking for Rocroft. 
He found the Indians very hostile, on account of the 
wickedness of Hunt and others in stealing away their 
people for slaves. Dermer had brought back two of 
Hunt's captives, Samoset and Squanto; and these 
gave him a great deal of assistance in pacifying the 
angry savages. Near Cape Cod he found and re- 
deemed a Frenchman, the sole sm'vivor of the crew of 
a French ship which had been wrecked on the coast a 
few years before. The crew had escaped to the shore, 
where the savages prowled about them until they 
killed all but three or four. They made prisoners of 
these, sending them about from one tribe to another 
to be tortured for their sport. When the poor men 
reproached them for their babarity, and warned them 
that the wrath of God would come upon them, the 
savages laughed, and said scornfully that they were 
"too many for God," In less than two years after, 
great numbers of them died of the plague. 

13. Among other places. Captain Dermer visited 
Martha's Vineyard ; but the natives here, instead of Us- 



'621 EARLY EVENTS ON THE COAST. 31 

toning to terms of ]icace, made a mm-derous assault upon 
a l)oat's crew which went asliore. They were nearly 
all killed; and an Indian had Captain Dermer down, 
and would have cut his head off had not the rescued 
Frenchman come to his aid. Dermer remained on the 
coast until midsummer of 1620; and in December the 
Pilgrims came and founded their famous town. 
Though he had made peace with the natives to the 
northward, those about Cape Cod remained hostile, 
waylaying and killing the settlers whenever they 
could. 

l-i. Just at the close of that first gloomy winter at 
Plymouth, the afflicted pilgrims were one day startled by 
the sight of a stately savage walking from the woods 
toward their cabins. But instead of the war-whoop, 
they heard from his lips, "Welcome, Englishmen I 
welcome, Enghslnnen!" Yet they looked fearfully 
about, lest some stealthy followers might fall upon 
them unawares. Bow and arrows were in his hands, 
but he ofiered no one any harm. It was Samoset, 
native lord of Pemaquid. His captivity had saved 
him from war and pestilence; and he had been re- 
stored to his native sliores to find his country desolate 
and his kindred perished. 

15. The pilgrims entertained the chieftain with food 
and lodging. In return he told them about the plague 
which had carried away the people, and gave them 
nnich needful information in regard to the country, 
lie went away the next morning, but retm-ned a few 
(lays after, bringing other natives to visit them, 
among whom was the famous Massasoit. 

16. When Captain Levett, in 1623, sailed along the 
coast in search of a place to settle, he met Samoset near 
Pemaquid, and received from him the same generous 
welcome. He aided Levett in obtaining furs, and 
introduced his squaw. Levett says, "The next day I 
sailed for Quack, or York, with the king,* queen and 
prince, bow and arrows, dog and kittcni, in my vessel; 
libs noble attendants rowing by us in their canoes." 

* See close of chapter. 



32 HISTOEY OF MAINE. 1625 

17. Soon after tliis, Samoset sold to one John 
Brown a tract of land at Pemaquid, comprising the 
present towns of Bristol and Damariscotta. The deed 
of the sale was made in 1625, and is the fii'st ever 
given by a native of America. 

18. The noble sachem lived for many years after 
at Pemaquid, always remaining the good friend of the 
Enghsh. He was remarkable for his love of truth and 
justice, and his generous confidence in others. 

* The person taken on board bis vessel, and spoken of by Levett 
as a king, was Cogawesco, sagamore of "Quack," who had his 
lodge on Stroudwater river, in old Falmouth. 

Who drove the Jesuits from Mt. Desert Island ? In what year 
did Capt. Smith visit the coast of Maine ? How did his men waste 
much time ? How many harbors did Smith explore ? How many 
villages of the natives did he visit ? What name did he give the 
northern country in his history ? Who stole natives of Maine for 
slaves ? What three nations of Indians occupied Mfiine at this 
time ? What happened among the Indians soon after ? In what 
years did Richard Vines spend a winter at Saco ? Who made 
peace with the Indians on the coast soon after? What noted 
chieftain of Maine met the pilgrims with words of welcome? 
What was the character of Samoset ? 



1G20 COLONIES AND COLONISTS. 33 



CHAPTER IV. 

1. Early in the year 1620 tlie Plymoiitli, or North- 
em branch of tlie North and South V'irginia Company 
gave up its charter, A new company was then 
formed, consisting of forty noblemen, knights, and 
gentlemen. It was described as "The Council estab- 
lished at Plymouth in the County of Devon, for plant- 
ing, ruling and governing New England in America;" 
but it was usually called the New England Company. 
The king granted to it the territory from a little south 
of the Hudson Piver to the Bay of Chaleur on the 
north, and from "sea to sea." Sir Ferdinando Gor- 
ges, who had been president of the old company, was 
made cliief agent of the new one. 

2. This gentleman was born in the year 1573, in 
the county of Somerset, in England. Before he was 
thirty years old lie had won great honor in the war 
with Spain; and the king, to reward his services, made 
him governor of the fortified town of Plymouth, in 
the soutli-western part of England. Among his friends 
were Sir AValter llaleigh and Sir Humphrey Gilbert; 
and from these he, no doubt, imbibed that enthusiasm 
for America which made him through a long life the 
constant friend of the colonies. 

3. The French, who had two or more colonies on the 
St. Lawrence river, were now attempting settlements 
furtlier southward within the limits of the New Eng- 
land Company's patent. It was plain that this north- 
ern boundary was likely to cause trouble. Gorges, to 
reheve himself of the clitiiculty, procured for Sir Wil- 
liam Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland, a 
grant of all the territory east of the St. Croix, and 



34 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^630 

northward on tlie line of this river to the St. Lawrence. 
All this region was at that time known as Canada, but 
the new proprietor named it Nova Scotia, or New 
Scotland. It was his intention to settle it with Scotch, 
who, it was thought, would prove an effectual barrier 
against the French. 

4. Gorges was constantly on the watch for persons 
desirous of a home in the new world ; and thus he 
came to learn of a number of English famihes who had 
removed to Leyden in Holland that they might be at 
liberty to worship God in the way which they believed 
to be right. They at first chose the Hudson as the 
place for their plantation ; but, landing on the shores 
of Massachusetts, they concluded to make that their 
residence ; and Gorges obtained for them a grant of 
the place where they had settled. Thus were intro- 
duced to the world the famous Pilgrims of New 
Plymouth. 

5. In its political action the EngHsh government 
always regarded Popham's colony as the initial 
settlement of New England ; though it was not per- 
manently maintained. It is, however, quite certain 
that some points in Maine — as Mouhegan, Pemaquid 
and Saco, had been occupied for several years previous 
to the settlement of Plymouth ; but the inhabitants were 
fishermen, and prol^ably few of them remained at any of 
these places throughout the year. I think, therefore, 
that the pilgrims of the Mayflower must, in a social 
sense, be considered the first settlers of New England ; 
for in this colony were found man, woman and child — 
the triple parts of the integer of human hfe. 

In 1622 the New England Company granted to 
Gorges and Captain John Mason the whole territory 
between the Merrimac river and the Kennebec. The 
proprietors named this country Laconia. It was 
described as the paradise of the North, having a salu- 
brious chmate, fine scenery, bays and rivers swarmuig 
with fish, and forests full of game. 



16'^3 COLONIES AND COLONISTS. 35 

6. These gorgeous reports brought many good peo- 
ple to our shores; but there hjul come, also, niauyhiwless 
adventurers. Complaints soon reached the proprie- 
tors that persons without right or license were carrying 
away timber, burning the forests, destroying the game 
and catching the fish. The Indians, too, were becom- 
ing enraged by these acts, and because the traders 
cheated them and made them drunken; and frequent 
bloody quarrels happened between them and the Eng- 
lish. So in 1623 the New England Company sent out 
Robert Gorges, a son of Sir Eerdinando, as governor. 
They also sent an admiral to regulate trade and fishery 
about the coasts, and a minister to oversee reh'gious 
afl'airs. These three were to a])])oint civil officers, and 
to sit as judges on all cases which should arise in the 
province. But Parliament opposed the privileges of 
tlie company, and the governor was recalled; the min- 
ister found his office unwelcome; while the fishermen 
were so stubborn that the a(hnii'al could do nothing 
witli them; — so in a year or two all had returned to 
Eiigland. 

Y. Meantime many people who were oppressed at 
home sought refuge in this country; and the settle- 
ments increased all along the coast. The little band 
of pilgrims had been joined by others of their breth- 
ren, and were profitably engaged in fishing and in 
trade with the Indians ; having a trading house on the 
renol)Scot, and another at Sagadahoc near the site of 
Popham's fort. In order to favor this persevering 
colony and to aid in spreading Christianity among the 
natives, the New England Company gave them a tract 
of land on the Kennebec, reaching from near Swan 
Island northward fifteen miles from each shore to the 
great ])end of the river. In this territory they had 
exclusive rights of trade and fislicry, and the legal 
]wwer necessary for the protection of their property. 
Here they erected other trading houses, — one in the 
present town of Riehmond, and another at Cushnoc, 
now AuiTusta. 



36 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^^27 

8. These houses were stocked with blankets, coats, 
shoes, u'on implements, hard bread, and various sorts 
of ornaments and trinkets suited to the fancy of the 
savages. They had also wampum, which served the 
Indians for both ornament and money. This was a 
kind of bead made by the Indians west of Narragan- 
sett Bay from the inner part of the shells of the whelk 
and quahog. It was of two kinds, — the purple and the 
white ; white being valued at a farthing each and the 
pm'ple at two farthings; but later the value changed. 

In 1627 some Puritans in England received from the 
New England Company a grant of the land embraced 
between New Plymouth and the Merrimac river. 
These became the Massachusetts Bay Colony; and the 
king gave them a charter of their territory with the 
right of government within its limits. In 1629 a divi- 
sion of Laconia was made between Gorges and Mason. 
The latter took the part south of the Piscataqua, 
wliich he named New Hampshire; and thus was fixed 
the south-western boundary of the State of Maine. 

9. The next notable patent was that of Lygonia, is^-u- 
ed in 1630, and sometimes called the "Plough Patent," 
from the name of the vessel which brought over the 
colonists. The vessel bore this name because the com- 
pany intended to plough the land and raise crops as 
their principal business, instead of trading with the 
natives and iisliing, like the other plantations. Their 
territory extended from the Kennebunk to Royal's 
river; and they settled near Casco Bay. This 
colony was laughed at a great deal, because it broke 
up within a year; 
other plantations southward. 

10. The same year the territory lying between Mus- 
congus Bay and Medomac River at the east was granted 
to some persons who had trading houses there. Tliis 
was called the "Muscongus Patent ; " but nearly a 
hundred years later it passed into the possession of the 
"Waldo family, and was afterwai-d known as the "Waldo 



1G27 



COLONIES AND COLONISTS. 37 



Patent." The "Pema<piid Patent" was the last f^raiit 
made by the New Eughxnd Company within tlie limits 
of our State. It was issued in 1631, and comprised 
the territory between the Medomac and Damariscotta 
rivers. West of this was the Sheepscot plantation, 
called the "Garden of the East," for its fruitfulness; 
while the settlement at Cape Newagen was, probably, 
the most ancient of all. There was no patent issued 
for tlie region between the Damariscotta and Kenne- 
bec l)efore the grant to tlie Duke of York; and the 
settlers held their lands by Indian deeds. Among 
other purchases made of the natives was that of the 
present town of Woolwich, of the sachem Robin Hood, 
for a hogshead of corn and thirty pumpkins. 

11. In 1625 King Charles, the new EngUsli sov- 
ereign, was betrothed to the Princess Henrietta Maria, 
daugliterof thcFrencli king; and in the marriage treaty 
he ceded to France the whole of New Scotland. This 
territory, you remember, had been given by the New 
England Company to Sir William Alexander, who 
undertook to people it with Scotch. He did not suc- 
ceed in bringing in many settlers, and was now in con- 
stant fear that his province would soon be seized by 
Fran(!0 ; therefore he gla-dly sold the whole for a small 
sum to M. La Tour, a Huguenot, or Frencli Protest- 
ant, who wislied to plant a colony there. A condition 
of the sale was that La Tour should hold the country 
6ul)ject to the Scottish crown; l)ut he quicldy proved 
his dishonesty by secretly procuring from the French 
king a patent of a large tract of tlie same territory, to 
be lield by liim as a subject of France. 

12. Tims the whole country eastward of the Penob- 
scot beciamo disputed territory; for Parliament denied 
the king's right to give away territory without its con- 
sent. But France took possession, naming the country 
jicadie; and the Frencli thought themselves safe in 
plundering all the trading liouses and vessels of the 
EiigUsh which they could lind within then- Ihiiits. A 



38 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1632 

Frencli fishing vessel came to the trading station of 
the Kew Plymouth colony on the Penobscot, pretend- 
ing that they ha J ^Jut into harbor in distress, and beg- 
ged permission to repair leaks and refresh themselves. 
They were kindly received, and allowed to go about on 
shore as they liked. The villainous crew quickly 
learned that most of the men belonging to the station 
were absent ; and they immediately seized the swords 
and muskets in the fort, and ordered the keepers to 
surrender on pain of instant death. Then they forced 
them at the point of tlie sword to carry the merchan- 
dise of the fort on l)oard their vessel. But the spirited 
Puritans were not easily chsmayed, and they soon after 
stocked their trading house anew, and the very next 
spring opened another at Macliias. A year later La 
Tom- himself attacked this one, killing two of the 
men, and carrying the remainder away prisoners to 
Port Royal. 

13. Some English vessels, also, still ventured to trade 
with the Indians along the coast, as before ; and a few 
of them were caught. One belonged to a man named 
Dixy Bull. As the French had taken his cargo but 
left him his vessel, he decided to turn pirate. At this 
time many low, vagabond fellows were prowling about 
the coast, sometimes lumting and sometimes fishiug for 
a subsistence ; and from tliese Bull soon made up a 
numerous crew of desperadoes. He then proceeded 
to rob his own countrymen, taking their furs, provi- 
sions, arms and ammunition, and sinking their vessels. 
In 1632 he stole into the harbor of Pemaquid and 
surprised the village. The villagers were at work in 
the fields and woods, and off on the water fishing; and 
before the}^ could rally for defense, the pirates had 
laden their boats with plunder from warehouse and 
dwelling. But the people made an attack upon them 
as they were embarking, and killed one of the leaders. 
At last the settlements at the westward were aroused ; 
and a force was fitted out at Piscataqua to capture the 



1G33 COLONIES AND COLONISTS. 39 

tVeel)ootci*s. The little squadron consisted of four 
vessels, txnd carried lifty men. It cruised three weeks 
in search of the pirates ; but they had become fright- 
ened, and fled. They left behind them a message for 
the authorities, which read in this way : "We now 
proceed southward, — never shall hurt any more of 
your countrymen, — rather be sunk than taken. For- 
tune le Garde. ''^ 

14. Bull seems to have beei? more prudent than most 
of his class, for he never allowed his crew to become 
drunken. At the hour when good captains had even- 
ing prayer he would say to his men, "Now we'll have 
a story and a song." I3ut he met with his deserts at 
last. Having gained some riches, he returned to Eng- 
land, where his crimes were found out, and he was 
tried and executed. 

Soon after New Scotland became the property of 
France, that government sent over General Razilla 
as governor ; and his deputy over the region between 
St. Croix and the Penobscot was M. D'Aulney. This 
gentleman made his residence at Biguyduce, (now 
Castine) where he had a fort, mill, and a fine farm. 
When Bazilla died D'Aulney claimed to be his suc- 
cessor against M. La Tour, who was the owner of a 
large part of what is now New Brunswick. D'Aul- 
ney was a Catholic, and La Tour was a Huguenot ; 
therefore D'Aulney received the support of French 
ecclesiastics, while La Tour obtained private aid from 
the English. Consequently D'Aulney manifested all 
the hostility toward the English that was consistent 
M'ith his safety. At last he captured La Tour's fort 
at St. John's ; carrying Madame La Tour away to 
his own fort, where he kejit her a close prisoner until 
she died. Soon after D'Aulney died also ; and his 
enemy, La Tour, married his widow, and succeeded to 
his possessions. 



40 ' HISTORY OF MAINE. "^636 

What territory did the king grant to the New England Company ? 
To whom did the New England Company grant New Scotland? 
What points in Maine were inhabited before 1820 ? What name 
was given to the territory of Gorges and Mason ? In what year 
was the first governor sent over? Where did the Plymoutli colony 
establish trading houses ? In what year was the division of Laco- 
nia made? What boundary did this division fix? What were 
some of the most notable patents? When was New Scotland 
ceded to France ? What did France call the country ? 



CHAPTER V. 

1. In 1635 the New England Company was dissolv- 
ed. Its territory was divided into twelve provinces, of 
which four were within the present limits of Maine. 
The first embraced the region between the St. Croix 
and Penobscot rivers, and was named the County of 
Canada, and assigned to Sir William Alexander ; the 
second, lying between the Penobscot and Kennebec, 
was given to the Duke of York ; the third embraced 
the land between the Kennebec and the Androscog- 
gin ; while the fourth extended to the Piscataqua. 
Both the last were given to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, 
and by him named New Somersetshire ; and in 1636 
he sent over his nephew, William Gorges, as governor 
of this province. This gentleman chose for assistants 
Richard Bonython, of Saco, Thomas Cammock and 
Henry Joscelyn, of Black Point in Scarborough, 
Thomas Purchas, of Pejepscot (Brunswick), Edward 
Godfrey and Thomas Lewis, of the Piscataqua rivei 
settlements. 

2. The first session of court was held at the house o£ 
Richard Bonython in Saco. An action was tried con- 
cerning a cornfield, and another of debt. Among the 
laws they made, was one relating to "mischievous lo- 



168r. POJJTICS AND CIVIL AFFAIES. 41 

dians," and otliers in regard to drunkenness, and tlio 
sale of intoxicating liquors. The last prohibited the 
sale of any strong driidc except a small quantity just 
after dinner. The settlers, it is said, had fallen into 
the habit of di'inldng too much ; and this first govern- 
ment of Gorges was wise enough to restrain a practice 
so dangerous to the prosperity of the young State. 

The new country was now found to aiford secure 
homes and a comfortable support ; and so many Eng- 
lish were emigrating that King Charles began to be 
alarmed. At one time he detained some emigrant 
vessels in port for several weeks, to the great distress 
of the passengers. He next ordered that no subject 
should leave the realm without taking the oaths of 
allegiance and religious supi-emacy. As he wished to 
secure to himself some profit from these New England 
subjects, he ordained that no colonist should entertain 
a stranger or admit any person as a household tenant 
without a license from the crown. 

3. The colonists, especially the Puritans, were rep- 
resented as being rebellious, and unworthy of confi- 
dence ; therefore the king instituted a general govern- 
ment for New England, and appointed Sir Ferdinando 
Gorges as governor. A ship was nearly ready to 
bring hun over, when, as the builders were at work 
upon her side, she turned bottom upward. This mis- 
fortune delayed the voyage ; and other difficulties 
succeeded, so that Gorges never visited the country 
for whose settlement he had labored so long. 

Ilis nephew, the governor of New Somersetshire, 
soon returned to England ; and Gorges oft'ered the 
management of his province to the Puritans, but it was 
declined. In 1639 he procured a charter from the 
king making him proprietary lord of the province, 
with full power of government therein. Tliis grant 
extended from the Piscataqua river eastward to the 
Kenneljec, thence north and west to Dead river and 
Umbagog lake. The name of the territory mider the 



42 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^39 

new charter was changed to "Maine," in honor of 
the Queen, whose patrimonial estate as Princess of 
France, was the French province of Mayne. 

4. By this charter no person had a right to trade, 
hold property, or reside within the province, except by 
permission of the proprietor ; and he was entitled to a 
quitrent from the settlers of sixpence an acre yearly. 
For the government of his province he chose a deputy 
governor, chancellor, marshal, treasurer, admu-al, mas- 
ter of ordnance, and secretary. These sat each month 
as a court of justice ; and, joined with eight deputies 
elected by the people, they formed a legislative assem- 
bly, which levied the taxes and made laws. 

The first general court for the province of Maine 
was held at Saco in June, 1640. George Burdet, the 
chief man of the Agamenticus plantation, was fined 
forty-five pounds for lewdness, brealdng the peace, and 
slanderous speaking ; John Lander was fined two shil- 
lings for "swearing two oaths;" Ivory Puddington 
was fined for being drunk at Mrs. Tyms ; and John 
Smith for running away from his master, was sen- 
tenced to be whipped and sent back. Perhaps Smith 
was an apprentice learning a trade, or he might have 
been sold for a certain time to pay a debt — possibly 
to pay his passage across the seas ; for they had such 
a custom in those old days. 

5. Yet most of those who now came to Maine 
brought money with them, as well as their furniture and 
the implements of their trade. Many came to till the 
land, and had their stock to buy ; so tlie domestic ani- 
mals raised by the older settlers brought them a hand- 
some price — a good yoke of oxen often selling for fifty 
pounds sterling. Money was scarce, too ; and all 
kinds of grain, with sheep, goats and pigs, were con- 
sidered as good, if not legal, tender. The people had 
to pay in money or furs for clothes, which were then 
mostly brought from England ; so after a while it was 
found best to raise flax and wool, from which, with the 



1642 POLITICS AND CIVIL AFFAIES. 43 

great hand looms, tlicj wove the strong cloth for bed- 
ding and wearing apparel. Until about this time, too, 
all the meal and flour used were brought from Eng- 
land, or ground in the mills at Boston or at Sheepscot; 
so tliere was a great demand for more mills for grain, 
as well as for cutting lumber. Tliis demand was fur- 
ther increased by the opening of a trade in lumber 
with the West Indies; while tlie settlers could now 
have molasses, sugar, cofl'ee, spices, and other tropical 
products, which they luid before done mostly without. 

6. All these advantages tended to a rapid increase of 
the settlements ; and Gorges was rejoiced at the pros- 
pect of a rich reward for liis years of labor. With the 
eye of hope he saw in his province of Maine a noble 
inheritance for his children and childi'en's children, 
lie selected the plantation of Agamenticus for his capi- 
tal ; and, in 1642, he made it a city, naming it for 
himsell', Gorgeana. It coinpi-ised twenty-one square 
miles on the north side of the York river and on 
the sea. The city had a mayor, aldermen, and coun- 
cilmen, together with sargeants, (pohcemen) whose 
badge was a white rod. Yet Gorgeana never had 
even three hundred inhabitants ; and, ten years later, 
it was changed to the town of York. 

T. But i-everses now began to overtake Gorges. 
Emigration fell off, so there were few to take up land or 
to l)uy cattle of the settlers; and business became very 
dull. Then the Lygonia, or "Plough Patent," was 
revived, though it really had becojiie void. After the 
faihn-e of the colony it fell into the hands of Sir Alex- 
ander Rigby, who set up his own government in the 
territory. Gorges held his province by the king's 
charter; but Rigby was favored by Parliament, which 
was now bitterly opposed to the king; and though 
Rigby was finally obUged to abandon the claim, he 
obrained the profits of the territory for several years. 
Thus was Gorges robbed of more than half liis sea- 
coast. .3 
o 



44 



HISTORY OF MAINE. 



1645 




OLD APPLE TKEE AT TORK, PLANTED 1629. 



On the Piscataqna, at the other side of his province, 
the settlers entered into a compact that they would 
not be subject to his government; for, being Puritans, 
they were unwilling to live under a charter which 
required them to be subject to the church of England. 
Yet Gorges never insisted that his people should wor- 
ship in the English form, but allowed freedom of con- 
science to all; and the Pm'itans, with the Baptist and 
the Quaker, whom they persecuted, alike found refuge 
from royalty and from each other in the province of 
Maine. 

8. A civil war now broke out in England ; and 
Gorges, who had received many favors from his sever 
eign, took his }>ai*t against Cromwell's party. King 
Charles lost his cause, and Gorges was thrown into 
prison. He was now over seventy years old ; and, 



1'5^7 POLITICS AXD CIVIL AFFAIRS. 45 

worn out by misfortune and liardsliip, lie died in 1647, 
soon after his release. 

He had ever been the earnest advocate of settle- 
ments in America, and the constant friend of the colo- 
nists; and for these reasons he is very properly called 
the "Father of American Colonization." For more 
than forty years he had fostered the settlements on. 
our coasts, his cliief motives being in his o^vn simple 
but noble words, — "The enlargement of the christian 
faith, the support of justice, and the love of peace." 

Into how many provinces was Maine divided in 1635 ? Wliich 
of these were given to Gorges? What was Gorges' province 
called ? Where was the first court held ? Who was now ap- 
pohited governor of New England? Did he ever come to this 
country? What was his province called under the king's charter? 
Where did the settlers obtain clothes, meal and flour ? What did 
they export to the West Indies ? What city did Gorges found for 
his capital ? To what was it afterward changed ? What title has 
sometimes been applied to Gorges ? 



CHAPTER YI. 

1. At the death of Gorges in 1647 the present terri- 
tory of Maine was under six governments, all entirely 
independent of each other. The whole country east 
of tlie Penobscot was held by the French ; while west 
of that river was, first, tlie Muscongus Patent, then 
tlie Peraaquld, next the Kennebec, then the Lygonia, 
or "Plough Patent," — and, lastly, the remnant of 
Gorges' Province of Maine. So many governments, 
each jealous of the other, caused much disorder in the 
country ; for evil doers in one provin^'c or patent took 
refuge in another, and thus, too often, escaped the 
punfslmient due to then' offenses. 



46 HISTOET OF MAINE. 1634 

2. Once a magistrate of Plymouth, named John 
Alden, was arrested in the streets of Boston on the 
charge of mm'dering a man on the Kennebec River, 
John was a Pilgrim boy, one of the company who 
came over in the Mayflower — and the first person, it 
is said, to spring ashore when they landed. He is the 
same John Alden of whom Longfellow tells us in the 
"Courtship of Miles Standish." Perhaps you will re- 
member that Standish, the Puritan warrior, sent his 
friend John Alden to court the fair Priscilla for him. 
John was then young and ruddy ; and it is no wonder 
that when he plead the cause of the doughty widower, 
the blushing maiden shou.ld exclaim, "Why don't you 
speak for yourself, John ?" And no doubt all will 
remember that after a while John did speak for him- 
self ; and that Priscilla became his wife, and rode 
home after the 
led by a rope. 

3. The Plymouth colony, you know, had the ex- 
clusive right of trade on this river ;*and when in 1634 
a vessel from J^ew Hampshire came there to trade, 
this John Alden, who was then in charge of the col- 
ony affairs in the region, ordered it away. Instead of 
obeying, the captain (whose name was Haskins) 
brought Ills vessel still farther up the river ; therefore 
Alden sent some men to cut the ropes by which she 
was moored. They had severed one, when Haskins, 
seizing a musket, swore that if a man of them touched 
the other he would shoot him. The boatmen had too 
much courage to neglect their duty for a mere threat ; 
and one raised his axe to strike, but before it could 
fall the angry captain had shot him dead. A moment 
later Captain Haskins fell in his turn, pierced by a 
bullet from a comrade of the man he had killed. The 
Plymouth folk advocated Alden's cause ; and finally 
the Bay magistrates pronounced the act "justifiable 
homicide." So there was no one punished. 

* The Kennebec. 



16o2 COUNTIES, CUSTOMS AND CHARACTERS. 47 

4. Thomas Pnr(;luis, who lived at the head of New 
Meadow River in Brunswick, (then Pcjepscot) o\vned 
an extensive tract of hind on both sides of the An- 
droscoggin River. He had opened a trachng house 
at this point about tlie year 1625 ; but becoming fear- 
ful of the Indians around him, he, in* 1639, put his 
territory under the government of Massachusetts for 
protection. 

5. Indeed, this government was so often called 
upon for arbitration and protection, that its chief men 
began to contrive how they might obtain more com- 
plete control of the eastern settlements. On examin- 
ing their cliarter the magistrates thought that its 
words would allow them to take the source of the 
Merrimac river as the northern extremity of their 
territory, instead of the mouth of that river, which 
had before been considered the limit. So their sm*- 
veyors presently found the new boundary to be a 
direct hne from the northern part of Winnipesaukee 
Lake to the mouth of the Presumpscot river ; and, 
behold, Gorges' province of Maine, tiie Lygonia Pa- 
tent and Mason's grant of New Ilampsliire were under 
the Puritan charter ! 

6. In 1652 the commissioners appointed by Massa- 
chusetts came into the province of Maine to set up their 
government. A meeting was called in Gorgeana to 
consider the change. The authorities of the province 
were there, headed by Governor Godfrey; and on the 
other hand sat the commissioners. The governor har- 
rangued the ])eople against submission ; the commis- 
sioners replied, promising that there should be no 
interference with religious worship nor with the estates 
of the settlers. AVhen the cpiestion was referred to 
the people, to the great astonishment of the governor, 
every vote beside liis own was in favor of Massachu- 
setts. 

7. Thus all went smoothly with the Bay colony's pro- 
ject iu the western part of the pro vmce of Maine \ but 



48 HiSTOET OF m:ai:o:. "^^^^ 

when it came to the collection of taxes, there was 
trouble in Lygonia. The foremost to resist the col- 
lecting officers was John Bonython of Saco. He fur- 
tliermore wrote a defiant letter to the General Com't, 
denying the right of Massachnsetts within the Lygonia 
Patent. He seems in this action only to have stood 
up for the rights of the proprietor of the patent ; yet 
he was declared an ontlaw by the Massachusetts mag- 
istrates, and a price set upon his body. But no do-ubt 
he was a bold, perhaps an unscrupulous man; for 
when he died some person wrote this couplet on his 
tombstone for an epitaph : — 

"Here lies Bonython, sagamore of Saco ; 
He lived a rogue and died a knave, and went to Hobomoko." 

8. The province of Maine was now made a county of 
Massachusetts under the name of Yorkshire, and sent 
two delegates to the General Court, as the legislature 
of Massachusetts was called. A court was held in the 
county twice a year, alternately at Kittery and York. 
A part of the magistrates were chosen by the General 
Court, and others by the people of the county ; and 
besides trying civil and criminal cases^ these were au- 
thorized to appoint three commissioners in each town 
to decide petty cases. 

9. A militia was organized the same as in Massa- 
cliusetts. The smallest division was the "trainband," 
which consisted of not fewer than fifty-four men nor 
more than two hundred. Its ofiicers were a captain, 
lieutenant and ensign, and a sergeant for the pilvcmen. 
The sergeant was armed with a halberd, — a weapon 
formed by the combination of an axe and spear, and 
set on a long handle. The other officers wore swords 
and pistols ; and the chief officers carried "partisans," 
whicli are colored rods, indicating leadership. The 
soldiers were armed with pikes and muskets. The 
pike, or spear, was a staff about ten feet in length 
with a sharp point of metal; but sometimes, instead 



1C^2 CUSTOMS, COUNTIES AND CnARACTERS. 49 

of a proper spear head, they tied on a stout Icnife or 
a piece of scythe. Men of Lirge stature were always 
chosen for pikemen; and there were twice as many 
musketeers as ])ikemen in a trainband. Some mus- 
kets liad matchlocks, but most had the flintlock. Each 
musketeer, at tramings, carried a crotched stick called 
a rest, on which the gun was laid in taking aim. 

10. In fighthig Lidians the soldiers must be good 
marksmen ; for generally these foes scattered widely 
apart, or hid behind stumps, stones and trees. Mas- 
sachusetts had already been througli one Indian war, 
when her forces destroyed the Pequots; and she knew 
now how to meet savages. Each soldier wore about 
liim a bandoleer, containing little leather boxes for 
powder and bullets. Some of them wore corselets of 
iron, which covered the breast and stomach; while 
others had their coats tliickly padded with cotton to 
protect them from arrows. They m.nst have been 
queer looking soldiers, plated with iron and stuffed 
with cotton, — no two being dressed ahke; yet they 
were men of courage, daring to face the scalping sav- 
age in his forest ambush. But when it really came to 
fighting savages, the pilces, breastplates and stuffing 
were all abandoned ; nothing but guns, hatchets and 
knives or swords were of any service. At first there 
was company training every Saturday, but after a few 
months they were less frequent. All males, from 
stout men of forty-five down to beardless boys of six- 
teen, were enrolled in the mihtia; and I have no 
doubt that the boy soldiers enjoyed "training-day" 
p-eatly. Yet they had for a long time no music but 
a drum ; neither had they bright colored uniforms, nor 
shining arms to reheve the sombre appearance of the 
ranks. 

11. On training as on other days our brave fore- 
fathers had regard to the Great Being who presides 
over all the affairs of men ; and prayer was offered at 
the opening of the day's driU and at the close. But 



50 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^652 

on training days there was also an unusual draft on 
the barrels and butts of West India rum and Holland 
gin, which were kept in almost every shop; for the 
law against dealers was not then strictly enforced ; but 
if any became ch'unken and quarrelsome, they were 
set in the stocks, where the fit might wear itself harm- 
lessly out. 

12. These instruments were usually ready, and 
nigh at hand. For there were fom* or five tilings 
wliich the good people of those days placed as near 
the center of then- settlements as possible ; and these 
were the church, the graveyard, the school-house and 
the stocks. Usually, also, there were a whipping post, 
a pillory and a ducking stool. The last was quite an 
amusing instrument. It consisted of a long plank 
suspended near the middle, and having a chau* fas- 
tened on the end overhanging a pool of water. When 
the oifender was tied in place the fight end of the 
plank was let go, and the chair with its occupant 
splashed in the water. 

13. The penalty for a great number of crimes was 
death; for lesser ones there were whipping, cropping 
the ears, and branding with a hot iron. There was 
not much imprisonment in those times, for the very 
good reason that criminals did not choose to stay in 
the weak jails. But the people of Maine were not 
the makers of these laws, and they were not here car- 
ried to such extremes as in Massachusetts. 

14. The people of Maine, too, were allowed to vote 
without becoixiing members of the Puritan chvu-ch ; 
yet the promise made to them at their union with 
Massachusetts that there should be entire freedom of 
worship, was not fully carried out. The Rev. Kobert 
Jordon, at this time the only Episcopal minister in the 
province, was persecuted for baptizing children and 
performing other duties belonging to Ifis pastorate ; 
while the Baptists and Friends were fined and whip- 
ped, Cromwell favored the Pm-itans ; but when 
Charles II. came to the throne he at once ordered 



1652 CUSTOMS, COUNTIES AND CHAEACTERS. 51 

Massachusetts to cease interfering in reb'gious matters. 
Then all societies again liad freedom to observe the 
christian ordinances in the manner which their con- 
sciences approved. 

15. But I must not close the present chapter with- 
out telhng you something about the Rev. John Brock, 
a noted Puritan minister of this period. The Isles of 
Slioals, then a part of Maine, were the scene of liis 
lal)ors for many years; and his inliuonce over the isl- 
anders and the fishermen who frequented their shores 
was very excellent. He had a happy talent in con- 
versation, his sermons were animated, and his faith 
was very remarkable. A fisherman of his parish had 
been wont generously to use his boat in helping the 
inlialiitants of other islands in the group to the one on 
which public worsliip was held; but one day in a vio- 
lent storm the boat broke away from its fastenings 
and was lost. Wliile the poor man was lamenting it, 
Mr. Brock said to him, "Go home contented, good 
sir ; ril mention the matter to the Lord ; — to-morrow 
you may expect to find your boat." This boat had 
been of sucli service to the poor that the good minis- 
ter felt that its recovery might properly be made the 
sul)ject of prayer ; and, sure enough, the next day the 
boat was brought up on the flulces of an anclior. 
Many other quite interesting things were done by him 
during his ministry at tliis and other places, some of 
which are told us by Rev. Cotton Mather in his 
"MagnaUa." 

How many separate governments existed in Maine in 1647? 
What incident happened on the Kennebec ? What government 
tried this case ? What proprietor in Maine put himself under the 
protection of Massachusetts? By what means did Massaclmsetts 
extend her jurisdiction over Maine ? Where did the Massachu- 
setts officers meet with difficulty? What troublesome person led 
the opposition ? Into what county was the province of Maine 
now made? What anus did the militia bear? What was done 
with those who became drunken? What objects were usually to 
be found near the center of a Puritan settlement ? 



52 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^54 



CHAPTER VII. 

1. The principal reason why the inhabitants of Maine 
submitted to become a part of Massachusetts, was that 
every one feared a war with the Indians, and thought 
if they yielded readily to the wishes of their powerful 
neighbor they would receive the more assistance from 
her. 

England was at this time at war with Holland ; and 
it was believed that the Dutch were inciting the Indi- 
ans to rise against the English colonies. The Massa- 
chusetts magistrates wrote to the Dutch governor at 
Manhattan about the matter, and he wrote back indig- 
nantly denying the charge, and regretting that they 
should put any confidence in the statements of the 
natives. Yet the magistrates were not satisfied, and 
apphed to the British government for aid to drive the 
Dutch away. After several months the ships came ; 
and five hundi-ed men were enlisted in the colonies to 
operate with them against Manhattan. Before the ex- 
pedition set out England and Holland had made peace 
with each other ; and Cromwell, tlie Lord Protector, 
ordered the forces to take possession of Acadia. This 
was really the point of greatest danger from the Indi- 
ans ; for the French had been selling them guns and 
hatchets, and inciting them to hatred towards the 
English. The enterprise was therefore very pleasing 
to the people of Maine. 

2. The first point of attack was Biguyduce, on Pe- 
nobscot Bay ; but the place was not defended, and they 
proceeded to La Tour's settlement on the site of the 
present city of St, John, in New Brunswick. He ap- 
peared quite willing to change njasters, if only his 
property might be secure. The governor, Le Borgne, 



1664 WAES AND RUMORS OF WARS. 53 

made some resistance ; but in August Acadia, or New 
Scotland, was again in possession of the English. Tho 
leaders of this expedition were Major Kobert Sedgwick 
and Captain John Leverett ; and Captain Leverett 
■s^;as left in charge of the province until Sir Thomas 
Temple was appointed governor. Su* Thomas 
brought in many settlers, and carried on a largo busi- 
ness in fish, furs and lumber. It has been said of him 
that he was "as true a gentleman as ever set foot in 
America." He was noted for his humane and gener- 
ous disposition. "When Massachusetts was hanging 
Quakers or Friends, who came into her borders preach- 
ing their doctrines, he told the magistrates that if they 
really, as they said, desired "the Quaker's lives absent 
rather than their deaths present," he would carry tliein 
away and provide for them at his own expense. 

3. In the year 1664: the king granted to his brother, 
the Duke of York, the country about Hudson 
River, and the territory between the Kennebec and 
St. Croix rivers. The duke was also made viceroy of 
New England, and sent Colonel Nichols over as his 
governor. Gorges' son soon after sent an agent with 
a letter from the king to the Puritan authorities, order- 
ing them to restore the province of Maine to its owner. 
But Massachusetts was unwilling to give up her con- 
trol ; and she kept possession until the next year. At 
tliat time three commissioners, who had been sent by 
the king to aid Colonel Nichols, came into the county 
of Yorkshire, and, organizing a court and legislative 
body, revived the old province of Gorges. Thus the 
people of Maine had the hard fate of being subject to 
two conflicting governments, and were liable to be 
punished by each for obeying the other. 

When they had settled afiairs in the province of 
Maine, the conimisioners went eastward to attend to 
the Duke of York's possession. They called the region 
between the Kennebec and Penobscot the "county of 
Cornwall," of which the Sheepscot plantation was 



64 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1668 

made tlie sliire town, and named Kew Dartmouth. 
They made Pemaquid (Bristol) their capital, where one 
of them remained until 1665, regulating the affairs of 
the colonies. 

4. Soon after his departure, a war broke out between 
England and France ; and the colonies began to look 
for a conflict with the French and Indians. This 
afforded a good opportunity for Massachusetts to re- 
estabhsh her authority in Yorkshire ; and commission- 
ers were accordingly appointed for that purpose. 
When Governor Nichols heard of this at New York, 
he wrote to the Massachusetts magistrates, warning 
them not to meddle with the province of Maine, and 
intimating bloodshed if they persisted. He soon after 
retm-ned to England, and Grovernor Lovelace succeeded 
him. The Puritans were not much alarmed by the 
warnings of the retiring governor, and her commis- 
sioners soon after set about their task of changing a 
province into a county. They entered Maine with a 
small company of horsemen and footmen in brilliant 
array, and issued their orders for an election of depu- 
ties to the general court. A county court was held by 
them in a meeting house at York. The morning ses- 
sion over, they went to their dinner. After dinner, 
as they walked unsuspectingly back, the province 
marshal marched through the streets proclaiming with 
as much authority as if he had an ai-my behind him, 
"Observe ye and obey the commands of his majesty's 
justices." When the commissioners came to the meet- 
ing-house, behold, it was full of people, and the jus- 
tices of the province were preparing to hold a court of 
their own ! 

5. "Give place to the commissioners;" cried their 
marshal, as he went before them to the benches where 
the justices sat, 

"You are the autliors of an affront we httle expect- 
ed," said the commissioners to the justices, "but your 
course will avail you nothing ; you might have called 



1668 ;^^Rs AND RUMORS OF WARS. 55 

your meeting elsewhere, and at anotlier time. 
Depend upon this^ we shall not be deterred from exe- 
cuting any part of the delegated trust to wliich we are 
commissioned." 

Then the people fell to disputing among themselves, 
and for a while confusion reigned supreme ; but the 
province justices at length were able to read the King's 
letter ordering Massachusetts to restore the province 
government to Gorges. To meet this, the commis- 
sioners could only urge the new charter boundary 
under which they had at iirst set up their claim. But 
the justices and their adherents had a prudent regard 
for that troop of "horse and foot", and they finally 
gave way. And thus was etfected what has been hu- 
morously termed the "Conquest of Maine," which 
ended the "Commissioners' War." 

A few years later Rigby's claim to Lygonia was 
abandoned, and Gorges' right was purchased by Mas- 
sachusetts; so that the whole region from the Piscata- 
qua to the Kennebec became rightfully subject to the 
Puritan government, and was all included in the coun- 
ty of Yorkshire. 

6. By an article tacked on to the treaty of Breda in 
1668, the French were again in possession of Acadia, 
with its boundary at the Penobscot, or, possibly, farther 
west. The inha])itants did not relish the prospect of 
becoming French subjects ; so they turned for aid to 
the only government that could ])rotect them — wdiich 
was that of Massachusetts. Under these circumstances 
Avlmt could the Bay colony do but examine again her 
very elastic cliarter, and order a new survey to correct 
tlie errors of the first ? Tliis was precisely wliat she 
did; and by it her boundaries were made to include 
the chiefest part of the county of Cornwall. 

In 1773 the Dutch re-captured New York, and Gov- 
ernor Lovelace went home. There were now none of 
the Duke of York's oflicers in the way ; and the next 
year Cornwall was made a part of Massachusetts, and 
received the name of the county of Devonshii-e. 



66 HISTOET OF MAIIN'E. 1675 

7. I^ow for a short time, tlie settlements flourislied, 
60 that in tlie beginning of the year 1675 there were 
thirteen towns and phmtations within the present hmits 
of Maine, wliile the inhabitants nnmbered between five 
and six thousand souls. The vessels of the villagers 
bore away ample freights of lumber from the mills, 
furs from the trading houses on the rivers, or loaded 
themselves with fish from the sea ; the fields yielded 
abundantly, and thriving herds of cattle were in the 
woody pastures. 

8. Then came the Indian wars; and the scene was 
changed. Several years previous to this time there had 
been war between the eastern Indians and the Mohawks, 
who lived about the Hudson river, in the State of 
New York. A decisive battle was fought in the year 
1669, in which the Eastern Indians were beaten. The 
victorious Mohawks pursued their assailants into Maine, 
destroying the villages of the Tarratines, and penetrat- 
ing nearly to the St. Croix ; and many generations 
after the Indians pointed out on the shores of one of 
the Passamaquoddy ponds the scene of the final battle. 
But in a few years the tribes had greatly recovered 
from their losses ; and, encom-aged by their new 
friends, the French, they were eager for war with their 



Wliat was the chief reason that Maine so readily submitted to 
Massachusetts ? Who were found to be inciting the Indians against 
the EngUsh ? What English ruler ordered the colonial forces to 
take possession of Acadia ? To whom was the territory between 
the Kennebec and St. Croix granted? What did the Kings com- 
missioners form in the Duke of York's territory ? When the com- 
missioners were gone what did Massachusetts do ? What has this 
lour of the commissioners been humorously called ? By what 
means did Massachusetts obtain the right of control in the province 
of Maine ? By what treaty did France again obtain possession of 
Acadia? How did Massachusetts obtain control of the Duke of 
York's settlements ? What county did she make of this new pos- 
session ? 



THE INDIANS OF MAINE. 57 



CHAPTER yin. 

1. Before I tell about the wars with the Indiaas, 
some further account of these people will, I thinlc, be 
interesting to my readers. The natives of Maine are 
generally called Abnakis, though the name has been 
more especially applied by American writers to those 
dwelling on the Androscoggin and Kennebec rivers. 
This name comes from A wahhenahghi, the name ap- 
plied to the Maine Indians by those living west of the 
Hudson river. It signifies our fathers at the sun 
rise. According to their own account, the Indians of 
Maine are all descended from a common stock. The 
Sokokis, who dwelt on the Saco river, were oldest ; 
and the Anasaguuticooks or Androscoggins, Canil)as 
or Kennebeeks, AVawennocks andEtechemins followed 
in order. The last nation was composed of the Tar- 
rathies, or Penobscots, the Openangoes, or "Quoddy" 
Indians, who dwelt on the ponds and rivers emptying 
into Passamaquoddy Bay, and the Marechites, who 
occupied the region of the St. John's river. The 
peninsula of Nova Scotia was inhabited by the Mic- 
macs, who were of a separate origin, and differed 
widely in language and customs. 

2. The word "Etechcmins,'' in English, is canoe 
mcn^ and was probably given them because they made 
such hmg journeys at sea. "Openangoes" means lit- 
tle sables, and signifies that they were a very cunning 
people. The Wawcunocks were a very brave people, 
aiul tliat is what the name means. At the time of 
Captain Smltli's visit to the coast, this was the 
superior tril)c in Maine ; and tlicir sachem, called 
tlie Bashaba, was ruler over the tribes from the St. 
Jolui'a river to the Merrimac. The rcy;ion between 



58 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1675 

the Penobscot and Kennebec, occupied by tbem, was 
known as Mavooshen. 

3. The mouths of the small rivers in this vicinity 
were specially noted for the abundance of oysters 
they produced. There are at this day on the banks 
of sheltered coves along our coasts long mounds 
composed almost wholly of the shells of oysters 
and clams. Those on the Damariscotta river are 
in some places fifteen feet deep and twenty rods in 
width. Layers of charcoal scattered through the mass 
show where the fires were made ; and among the shells 
are found knives, gouges and spear-heads of stone and 
horn, and bits of pottery. Bones and whole skeletons 
of human beings have also been found, but no tradi- 
tion tells us whence they came or why they are buried 
there. The Indians told Popham's colonists frightful 
stories of a nation of cannibals living to the northward, 
who were of great size and had teeth an inch long. 
The Jesuits of the early French missions upon the St. 
Lawrence river also relate that there was a tri1)e about 
the mouth of that river who devoured the bodies of 
their enemies. Uncas, chief of the Mohegans, was 
once seen by wliite men to eat the flesh of his foe ; and 
English captives who escaped from the Lidians have told 
of similar barbarities. These facts lead us to conclude 
that at the time of the discovery of this country, many 
of the native tribes sometimes fed on human flesh ; and 
I fear that this must explain the presence of human 
bones in the shell heaps of Damariscotta. Before the 
breaking out of the war between the settlers and the 
Indians in Maine, the Wawennoeks had ceased to 
exist as a tribe. A few had joined the Canibas, but 
the larger portion, influenced by the Jesuits, had re- 
moved to the River St. Francis, in Canada. 

4:. The natives of Maine wore taller than the aver- 
age of white men ; and, if no stronger, were usually 
more agile. Their complexion was a copper brown, 
and their black, coarse hair usually hung in a long 



1675 THE INDIANS OF MAINE. 59 

mass over their backs, though tlie womeir s was some- 
times braided, while the men's was more frequently cut 
short over the forehead and the remainder tied in a knot 
at the top or back of the head. They had broad, 
beardless faces, retreating foreheads, prominent check 
bones, small, ghstening, black eyes, and large white 
teeth. Many of their women were of comely face and 
figure, and some of them would have been almost 
handsome, had they been cleanly. Yet both women 
and men were generally morose in countenance and 
manner. 

5. In the summer the dress of men and women was 
rarely more than a girdle of leather having a short skirt 
or fringe below the waist, with the addition of moc- 
casins, if they were hunting or travehng. In the win- 
ter the busJvins, leggins and mantle of fur formed a 
warmer attire ; but there were some families so poor 
that they were at times obliged to wear hard, furless 
sldns, even in the cold weather. They had a way of 
tanning and dressing skins which made them very soft 
and phable ; one substance used in this process being 
an oil prepared from the brains of animals. 

6. The household work and the cultivation of the 
soil were left almost wholly to the women and children. 
The only labor of this sort which the warriors under- 
took was the raising of theii* tobacco ; and the boys 
were very impatient to become old enough for hunters 
and warriors, as they were then freed from the drudg- 
ery of the wigwams and cornfields. But sometimes 
to save the crop, the whole family took hold together, 
and made quick work with the cornfield. When not 
engaged in war or hunting, the men occupied them- 
selves chiefly in making their l)ows, arrows, spears, 
knives and other implements. This was really a slow 
and laborious process, as flint and shells were theu* 
keenest tools. 

7. On war and liunting trips, especially when these 
were short, the squaws were left behind, and tlie men 



60 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1676 

did their own cooking. Their wigwams at these times 
being only for temporary use, were of small size and of 
the simplest construction. They were generally form- 
ed of straight poles set on the ground in a large circle, 
but coming together at the top, and covered with 
broad strips of bark. The cabins in the villages were 
larger, with the top arched by bending the upper parts of 
the poles and binding the overlapping ends together. 
Others were in the form of a rectangle, with tall crotch- 
ed posts along the middle and sides, supporting the 
ridge and eave poles. The largest wigwams of wliich 
we have any account in Maine were not over forty feet 
in length ; and such were occupied by several families. 
Each family had its own fire, and there was sometimes 
a slight division of stakes and bark between. They 
obtained fire by rapidly twirling a dry stick with the 
end in a hollow in another, some light material being 
laid close about it to catch the first spark or tongue of 
flame. There was no fireplace except a hole in the 
ground or a few large stones to support the sticks. 
The smoke flowed and eddied to every part of the 
cabin before it found the opening at the top left for 
its escape. In this smoke along the highest part of 
the room were slender poles, where, in the hunting 
season, hung strips of flesh cut from the carcases of 
deer, bear and moose, being dried to preserve it for use 
in later moons. 

8. Every winter the hunters went away to the 
streams and ponds at the heads of the rivers to hunt 
deer, moose and beaver ; though smaller parties hunt- 
ed game for food at all seasons and in all directions. 
Poor hunters would rarely kill moose or bear, and 
would secure few even of the smaller animals. But 
my readers will remember that the Indians had no 
guns or other weapons of metal, until the white men 
furnished them, so that, with their w(;ak weapons, much 
skill and prowess was necessary. Sometimes a com- 
pany of hunters would join for the capture of a herd 



1C75 THE INDIANS OF MAINE. 61 

of deer. Having surrounded them with fire, they 
posted themselves near tlie open passages of the forest, 
then started the lierd by frightful shouts ; and large 
numbers of the beautiful animals would be killed as 
they tried to escape from the enclosure. At other 
times the lumter would encase himself in the skin of a 
Dioose or deer, and steal toward the herd, imitating 
their moveincnts. Tliey also made up large parties 
for duck hunting. The time was chosen in the month 
of August, when the old birds had shed their feathers, 
and the young were of good size, but yet unable to fly. 
The Inmters, sweeping the pond in their canoes, di'ove 
the birds into the creeks and coves at the borders, where 
they were killed by thousands with clubs and paddles. 

9. The ordinary canoe was very liglit, being form- 
ed of l)irch bark on a frame work of wood. They 
also made them of logs, wliich they burned hollow, 
then smoothed with their stone gouges. These log 
canoes were sometimes long enough to carry forty per- 
sons. They made fish hooks of bone and deer's horn, 
and with tlie same material they sometimes tipped 
tlieir arrows and spears, though they generally used 
flint or jasper for this purpose, Tlieir knives, axes and 
chisels were also made of some hard stone. They 
made thread, hues, and nets of the bark of trees, of 
strong grass, and of deer sinews. They built weirs of 
great stones and stakes in the ponds and rivers, in 
which the fish became entangled ; but usually tliey 
caught them in nets, or with hooks, and speared them 
from their canoes by firelight. 

10. When the sanup (liusband) was lazy or a poor 
lumter the family depended mainly on the maize, beans 
and crookneck squashes which the squaw raised. She 
also gatliered tlie fuel, dressed the game and cooked 
tlic food. This was first served to the sanup, and 
otlicr grown up males; and wlien these had eaten, the 
squaw might satisiy her own hunger and that of the 



62 HISTOEY OF MAINE. 1675 

children. When venison was plenty, and corn in the 
milk, the Indians fared snmptnously. The corn they 
roasted on the ear, or, boihng it with new beans, made 
the disli called succotash. The dry corn was parched 
and ponnded into a coarse meal, which they called 
nokehike. Then there was sam/py which was corn hnlled 
in boihng lye ; and hmniny, which was corn broken 
and boiled. The season of berries aiforded them a 
dehcious relish, and they laid up great stores of nuts ; 
and sometimes in the spring they were obhged by 
Bcarcity of food to dig groundnuts, which they roasted 
in the ashes. Maple syrup they could make only in 
small quantities until the white men came and brought 
them kettles; theh boiling before this time being done 
chiefly in wooden troughs, by dropping in hot stones. 
Neither did they know how to make bread of their 
corn until taught by Europeans. Their food was eaten 
from the troughs in which it was cooked, or from 
wooden bowls. They had, too, a rude sort of earthern 
ware, but it appears to have been quite soft and frag- 
ile. Neither chair nor table was found in their cabins, 
and they sat or lay on mats and skins on the bare 
ground, or on a low platform of bark, or of hemlock 
boughs about the sides of the cabin. 

11. Here the httle Indians, dirty and fat, rolled 
and ran about, while the small pappoose cooed and 
cried on its cradle of bark. At sunset the maidens 
went forth to dance on the green, clad in their choicest 
garments, that theymjght attract the eyes of the bold 
young warriors. Perhaps the daughter of the chief 
was with them, the green crest of the heron contrast- 
ing in her black hair with the scarlet feathers of the 
tanager,her armlets and leggins of soft deerskin mark- 
ed with bright dyes, her moccasins gay with porcupine 
quills, and her skirt bright with embroidered threads ; 
while strings of the white teeth of the sable and otter 
gleamed upon her dusky bosom. 



1673 THE INDIANS OF MAINE. 63 

12. Yery often indeed a young brave became enam- 
ored of a comely maiden. When this happened he 
tokl his parents, who then held a talk about it with 
her parents. If her parents proved favorable, he then 
sent her a present, — a deer, a Ijcautiful bird, furs or 
beads. Lest she should be unwilling when asked to 
live in his wigwam, he must now pay other attentions. 
So in the shades of the evening he took his station near 
her cabin, and did his best to charm her listening ear 
by his singing, or the rude music of his fife ; or, if he 
was not musical, he must please her at the merry mak- 
ings of the young by his wit or feats of strength and 
agility. When she accepted him as her sanup (hus- 
band) lie made more presents ; and then the desired 
guests were invited to the wigwam of her parents. 
Then followed feasts and dances for two or three nights, 
the young couple keeping beside each other until the 
frolics were over. Then the savage bridegroom led 
home his bride ; who thenceforth devoted herself to 
preparing his food, making his clothes and keeping his 
wigwam tii'e alive. 

13. Foot-races, wrestling, quoits, ball playing, and 
a sort of draughts were frequent amusements ; and 
they were much addicted to gambling by every possi- 
ble means. The Indians were much given to smok- 
ing, also ; and the offer of a pipe of tobacco was a 
token of hospitality and peace. At all feasts the 
guest must eat all that nn'ght be put in his bowl, no 
matter how many times it was tilled or how unlike it 
he felt ; otherwise he would give offense to his host. 
So many a poor Indian often went back to his wig- 
wam with a pain in his stomach. 

14. Many people suppose the Indians to have been 
very healthy ; l)ut this is a mistake. The Indian had 
fewer diseases than the white man, but these were more 
generally fatal. They doctored chieHy with sweating, 
astringents, salves and washes. They also had vegeta- 
ble teas for ordinary kinds of sickness. But their 



64 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1675 

knowledge of medicine was very limited ; and any in- 
telligent country housewife of the present day far sur- 
passes them in skill. Yet, being natives of the country, 
they were able to instruct the settlers in the uses of 
numerous plants. If a savage was very ill the "pow- 
wow" was called upon. Tliis was the Indian medicine- 
man, or physician. His method of treatment was very 
mysterious to common Indians, and was supposed to 
have supernatural power. Drums were beaten, he 
made strange gestures, uttered wild cries, — sometimes 
over the patient, at others, shut up in a wigwam alone. 
He also carried at his waist a small bag containing 
bones, sticks and stones, which were thought to have 
virtue as charms against evil spu-its, diseases and mis- 
fortunes. 

15. The Abnakis believed in a good spirit. Tan- 
tiiin^ or Tanto ; and in an evil spirit, which they call- 
ed Mojahondo ; but in general these were confused in 
one, and called by the name of the good spirit. Hocko- 
raock was another word used by some Indians, which 
the settlers took to signify the devil. At every new 
moon they worshipped the evil spirit for fear, because 
they beheved he had power to kill them, and to send 
storm, pestilence, drought and tamine. 

16. Sometimes certain old men in each tribe, who 
kept in mind their treaties and traditions, were ap- 
pointed to teach them to the young. Beside the chiefs 
who were war leaders, there were others who presided 
over the village and regulated petty matters, somewhat 
lilce our police justices. Botli these were generally 
called sagamores. Over all was the sachem^ who was 
chosen for his wisdom ; though, usually, he was the son 
of the sachem or of a chief. Yet his authority was 
not absolute, all important matters being decided in 
council. These were composed of the chiefs and old 
men ; and, sometimes, the aged squaws were present 
also. Thei'e was perfect order on these occasions ; 
when one was speaking aU others kept silent, and even 



1675 THE INDIANS OF MAINE. 65 

after he had ceased he was allowed several minutes in 
which to recollect anything he might have omitted with- 
out intention. It was considered very unmannerly to 
interrupt another, even in ordinary conversation. 
Thus we see that in soiue respects these ignorant and 
cruel savages set us a good example. 

17. The language of the Abnakis is easy of utter- 
ance, and quite smooth and agreeable to the ear ; but 
its words are few and unfitted for nice distinctions. 
For instance, in the Tarratine dialect thou or you is 
"keah," but "keah-olet-haut-tamoria" means no more 
than thy ivill ; and their word for to-day consists of 
eight syllables, and many other ideas arc equally diffi- 
cult of expression. 

Names of places are generally descriptive, ag 
Mattawarrikeag ^ from mattUy much, — wanvpa, wliite, 
or clear, — keag^ or kik, earth ; and Anasagunticook 
(tril)e) — properly, Amasacontecook, — from namaous^ 
iifli, — konte, stream, — cook from kik, place; meaning. 
The region of the fish river. For heaven they use 
the word, spumkeag, i. e., above the earth. "Metun- 
gus" is father^ a man is "sanumbee," and boy is 
"skeenooses." If a Tarratine should inquire after your 
health he would probably say, Pah-quQ-num-se-eld. 

18. Their dialects were constantly changing, for 
they had no written characters to preserve the form of 
their words ; so that when modern natives have been 

-asked the moaning of some phrase long ago recorded 
by the English or French they have been unable to 
give it, but yet recollected the words as "old Indian." 
IS till they very generally conveyed information by 
means of rude drawings, often leaving these records 
on trees and pieces of bark at points visited by them ; 
and these were readily understood by others of the 
tribe, who came after. A rock at the sea shore at 
]\rachias])(>rt furnishes an interesting example of this 
kind of writing ; and it is prol>ably the most extended 
Lidian inscription in New England. 



66 



HISTORY OF MAINE. 



1675 




1675 TjjE INDIANS OF MAINE. 67 

19. In the earliest days of Englisli settlements 
when an Indian signed a treaty, deed or other writing, 
it was usually by a rude figure of some animal, — as a 
deer, beaver, tortoise, snake, heron, hawk, or eagle. 
This was called t\\etoie7n and was the family "coat of 
arms" ; and in some tribes they seemed to believe that 
they had descended from these animals. It was often 
the case that a great hunter or warrior received a name 
descriptive of liis character or exploits ; therefore we 
may conclude that these "totems" only represented 
Bome remarkable ancestor, whose distinguishing title 
had become the name of a nmnerous clan. 

Under what general name are the Indians of Maine classed ? 
What does this name signify ? What were the distinctive names 
of the Indian tribes of Maine? Where did each dwell? What 
reniarliablo mounds are found on the Damariscotta River ? What 
became of the Wawennocks ? Of wliat materials did they make 
their weapons ? What vegetable did they raise ? IIow did they 
boil their food before they had kettles? What sports and games 
had the Indians ? What is said of the diseases of the Indians ? 
By what means did their pow-wows pretend to cure diseases? 
Did the Indians believe in good and evil spirits ? What were the 
titles of their chiefs ? Which was superior in authority ? By 
what means were important matters decided ? What was their 
practice in speaking and conversation ? Did they have any letters or 
written words ? By what means did they sometimes convey infer- 
mation? What arc "Totems" ? 



68 HISTOEY OF MAINE. 1675 



CHAPTEE IX. 

1. I have now given you an account of the Indians 
as they were when the English first came to the coun- 
try; but from that time their habits and customs be- 
gan to change. The traders soon supplied them with 
domestic utensils, cloths and guns; so that they were 
able to obtain game and cook their food with more 
ease, and to dress themselves more comfortably. The 
French mmgled with the natives like brothers; and 
some of them, with their usual easy habit, even took 
Indian women for then- wives. Very soon, French 
Jesuits were in all then' villages ; and before the year 
1720 they had nearly all become Eoman Cathohcs. 
Therefore, in any war that arose between the Engh'sh 
and the French, the Indians, if they took any part, 
were sure to be on the side of the French. Neither 
did the Jesuits confine themselves to the rehgious 
instruction of the natives, but were the ever willing 
agents of the French government to incite the In- 
dians to hostility against the Enghsh settlers. 

2. The authorities of the colonies were quite aware 
of their danger, and made prudent laws to restrain the 
settlers and natives from wronging each other. None 
were allowed to settle or to hunt and fish upon the 
territory of the natives unless the right was first ob- 
tained of them; and the sale of intoxicating hquors 
was forbidden, according to the wish of the chiefs. 
Yet the English made crafty bargains for then* land, 
obtaining deeds of extensive tracts before the ignorant 
savages understood fully the efiect of such writings. 
Often, too, the traders would sell them rum; for this 
yielded a large profit, and they could also make better 
bargains for fui'S when their owners were a httle in 



ICCO THE FIRST INDIAN WAR COMMENCES. 69 

drink. The natives, at long intervals, sometimes 
revenged their wrongs by killing cattle or burning 
buildings; yet the tribes in most cases were quite 
ready to pay the damages when the acts were traced 
to their members. 

3. Doubtless a principal reason for the continued 
peaceable conduct of the natives toward tlie Enghsh 
was found in the wars among themselves, and the 
pestilences with which they were often visited. 

In 1614, when Captain Smith visited the coast, 
the native population of Maine must have been nearly 
thirty thousand. In the war whicli happened soon 
after, the Wawennocks had been almost destroyed, 
and the Tarratines also lost severely. Then the 
plague came, working fearful havoc from Penobscot 
to Cape Cod. Following these were the wars with 
the Mohawk Indians, which raged at intervals for 
above half a centmy ; while the small pox became a 
frequent scourge. From these causes then- numljcr 
had fallen before the year 1675 to about twelve thou- 
sand. 

4. Some of the tribes did not at first join in the 
hostilities against the English. Among these vere the 
Penobscot Indians, and all those at the eastward, and 
the Pennacooks in New Hampshire. Passaconaway, 
!i sachem of the Pennacooks, was noted for his sagac- 
ity and cunning. He made liis Indians believe that 
he could restore tlie ashes of a burnt leaf to their orig- 
inal form, raise a Hve serpent from the skin of a dead 
one, and change himself into a flame of fire. When 
he became old he called his tribe to a great feast, and 
there made to them liis farewell address. "Hearken," 
said lie, "to the last words of your father and friend. 
The white men are the sons of the morning. The 
Great Spirit is their father. His sun shines bright 
about them. Never make war with them. Sure as 
you hght the fires the breath of Heaven will turn the 
flames upon you, and destroy you. Listen to my ad- 



70 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1670 

vice. It is the last I shall be allowed to give you. 
Kemember it and live," 

5. Wonnolancet, his son, was now sachem of the 
tribe; and as long as he lived their friendship with 
the English remained unbroken. 

Howies, the sagamore of the Piscataqua Indians, 
likewise saw that the white men would become the 
masters of the country. He lived in Berwick on inti- 
mate terms with the settlers. When he became old, 
and could no more go out of his dwelling, he sent to 
the principal inen of the town this petition : "Being 
loaded with years, I had expected a visit in my infirmi- 
ties, — especially from those who are now tenants on 
the land of my fathers. Though all these plantations 
are, of right, my children's, I am forced in this age of 
evils humbly to request a few hundred acres of land to 
be marked out for them and recorded as a pubHc act 
in the town books; so that when I am gone they may 
not be perishing beggars in the pleasant places of tlieir 
birth. For I know a great war will shortly break out 
between the white men and Indians over the whole 
country. At first the Indians will kill many and pre- 
vail ; l)ut after three years they will be great sufferers, 
and finally be rooted out and utterly destroyed." 

6. But Squando, sachem of the Sokokis, had never 
been friendly to the Enghsh ; and about this time an 
incident took place which made liim a most bitter 
enemy. His squaw with her httle child was crossing 
the Saco Biver in a canoe, when a party of sailors 
saw them and determined to have some sport. They 
had heard that Indian children swam from instinct; so 
they upset the canoe, tumbhng the poor mother and 
her infant into the water. The child sank to the bot- 
tom ; the mother dived after it, and succeeded in 
bringing it up ahve. Soon after this affair it sick- 
ened and died. Squando believed that its death was 
owing to the cruel treatment of the white men; and 
he vowed to be revenged. This chieftain was the 



1G75 THE FIRST INDIAN WAR COMMENCES. 71 

most remarkable Indian of his time. Sometimes his 
conduct was qnite Innnane and generous toward the 
settlers, and at otlier times very barbarous. He was 
not only the sachem, but the pow-wow of his tribe, 
and made liis people beheve that he had revelations 
from the spirit world. At one time when he wished 
to incite them to war against the Englisli he said to 
them: "An angel of light has commanded me to wor- 
ship the Great Spirit, and to stop limiting and laboring 
on tlie Sal>bath; and God himself tells me he has left 
the EngHsh people to be destroyed by the Indians." 

You perceive that the prophecies of these sachems 
did not agree; but it was not then so easy to decide 
which was false. 

7. At length tlie alarm sounded. In July, 1675, 
the first blow of King Philip's war was struck. The 
Massachusetts authorities immediately sent the news 
to those of Maine, with the advice that the Indians 
should be deprived of their guns and knives. Some 
of the leading residents of Sagadahoc, or Lower Ken- 
nebec, innnediately visited the Indians near them, and 
prevailed upon them to give up a few of their guns. 
They gave them many presents, and so won their 
favor that Mo-ho-tiwormet, the old Canibas sachem, 
made a dance in lionor of the agreement of peace be- 
tween them. The Androscoggins acted differently. 
They had for a long time felt very revengeful towards 
Thomas Purchas, wlio was a trader at tlie head of 
New Meadows River in Brunswick, because they be- 
lieved that he had cheated them in trade. One of 
their sagamores declared that he had paid an hundred 
pounds for w^ater from Pm-chas' well. His Indians 
must have drunk much rum to have the water in it 
reach that amount. It is no wonder that they wasted 
away. 

8. It happened one day early in September that 
Mr. Piu-chas and his boys went off, leaving the 



72 HISTOKY OF MAINE. 1675 

women unprotected. While thej were gone a party 
of Indians came to the house, pretending that they 
wanted to trade ; but as soon as they found the men 
were away, they fell to plundering the store and build- 
ings of whatever they wanted. While they were thus 
engaged one of the boys was seen returning on horse- 
back. Before reaching the spot he discovered the In- 
dians, and halted. A stout fellow started out towards 
him with his gun under his blanket; but the boy, per- 
ceiving his purpose, wheeled his horse about and fled. 
He carried the alarm to the coast; and a party went 
up the river with a sloop and two boats to bring away 
whatever the Indians had left. Mrs. Purchas some- 
how escaped ; but the men with the vessel found more 
Indians at the settlement, and were di'iven off with 
loss. 

9. On the twelfth of September the savages 
burned the house of John Walvely, near the mouth of 
the Presumpscot River, in Falmouth. The smoke 
and flames were seen at Casco Neck (Portland) ; and 
a party started at once for their relief. They were 
too late. The bodies of seven persons lay among the 
smoking ruins, half burned and shockingly mangled. 
It proved that two others, a girl of eleven years and 
a young child, had been carried away. None knew 
what became of the child ; and the poor girl, (whose 
name was Elizabeth) now left without father, mother, 
brother or sister, was forced to traverse the wilderness 
through long and tedious months in company with the 
murderers of her relatives. 

10. Soon after this bloody affah', a friendly Soko- 
kis came to John Bonython at Saco and said to him 
privately, "A strange Indian from the westward and 
several Anasaguuticooks have been at my wigwam, 
and are persuading all our brothers to lift the toma- 
hawk against the white people." Bonython warned 
his neighbors ; and that very night they all retired for 
safety to the house of Major William Philhps, on the 



1675 THE FIRST IXDLVN WAR COMMENCES. 73 

Biddoford side of the rivor, near the foils. The next 
morning the attack was made. The first notice was 
Bonython's honse in flames; then an Indian was seen 
skidking behind a fence. Major Philhps had been 
looking at the flames, and as he turned from the win- 
dow a bullet pierced his shoulder. The savages were 
amlnishcd all around the house ! When Major Phil- 
lij>s disa|>})eaj-ed so suddenly from the window the In- 
dians, su])|>osing him to be killed, set up a great shout. 
Tlio English were watching from every side of the 
house, and instantly fired at the shouters ; and several 
of them fell badly wounded. At dark the savages set 
fire to a small house, and to Phillip's mill; then they 
came up crying, "Come now, you Enghsli coward 
dogs; come put out the fire, if you dare." The Eng- 
lish didn't come; but they sent out their leaden mes- 
sengers wherever an Indian exposed himself. 

11. At four o'clock the moon set; and then the 
savages contiivcd another mode of attack. They 
built up on the forward end of an ox-cart a tier of 
lumber, then filled the body with shavings, birch 
bark and sticks. A number of them took hold of 
the tongue, where they were protected by the screen 
of lumber, and pushed the cart toward the honse. 
They meant to set the house on fire, and Idll the 
people as they ran out ! Fifty persons were crowded 
into this building, — most of them women and chil- 
dren. The cart was steadily approaching — nearer 
and nearer it came. Already the tiny tongues of 
flame gleamed upward through the mass; and the 
V'jices of the besieged grew hushed with fear, or some 
excited girl screamed in frenzy. But the cart comes 
steadily on, — one wheel drops into a gutter, and the 
cart swings about. The savages who hold the tongue 
ai-e in view ; and the muskets of the English ring out 
in the still night. Several of the assailants dropped 
to the ground, and the remainder ran away, leaving 
then- load of burning sticks to hght up the fields. 



74 HISTOEY OF MAINE. 1^75 

The savages were discouraged; for they had killed 
none, while six of their number were dead, and fif- 
teen, including their leader, badly wounded. In the 
morning not an ludian was to be found; and a day 
or two after, Major Phillips and his company reached 
the settlement at Winter Harljor in safety. 

12. When it was known at Newichawannock (South 
Berwick) that the Indians had attacked Saco, Captain 
Wincoln and sixteen volunteers, with noble spirit, set 
out for Winter Harbor to render all tlie aid possible. 
They had just landed at the mouth of the river, and 
were proceeding towards the village, when a large 
body of savages rushed out of the woods upon them. 
Wincoln and his company took refuge behind a huge 
pile of shingle blocks, firing with such effect that they 
kept at bay a hundred and fifty savages. The report 
of the guns was heard at the village, and a party of 
nine men started out to join the reinforcement, — for 
such they knew it must be ; but the savages am- 
bushed theii* path and shot down every man. 

13. The next attack was at Kewichawannock, on 
the house of John Tozier, who had gone with Captain 
Wincoln, leaving his family unprotected. His was 
one of the outermost houses of the settlement; and in 
it were gathered at that moment fifteen women and 
chikh-en. A young lady of eighteen was the first to 
discover the Indians. She had only time to warn the 
family, when the savages reached the house. Fearful 
that the weak door fastenings would give away, she 
staid and held them until the hatchets of the savages 
had broken through. They dashed in the door; but 
the family had escaped from the other side of the 
house, and were running towardis the garrison. A 
part of the Indians pursued them, catching two chil- 
dren who were hindmost. One of these, only three 
years old, they killed on the spot; and the other they 
kept in captivity six months. But the heroic girl at 
the door, — the savages were so angry at finding the 



1675 THE FIRST INDIAN WAR COMMENCES. 75 

house empty that they bent her to death, as they 
thou<2;ht. After they had gone she revived, and lived 
to recover from her wounds. I wish I knew her 
name, for no personage in this history would more 
brightly ornament its pages. 

14. The next day the Indians appeared again, and 
burned the dwelluig and storehouse of Captain Win- 
coin, then escaped in the darkness of night. It was 
now the golden month of October ; but in Maine muc-li 
of the crops remained ungathered; and the scarlet 
forests seemed to the affrighted settlers but tokens of 
fire and blood. October Tth was observed as a day 
of fasting and prayer on account of the great calami- 
ties. The Indians celebrated it at Newichawannock 
by shooting a man off his horse, and robbing two boys 
of their guns and clothing. Again on the sixteenth 
they assailed it in force, kilhng Richard Tozier, and 
making his son a prisoner. The commander of the 
garrison, Lieut. Roger Plaisted. perceiving Indians in 
the distance, sent out nine men to rcconnoiter. The 
savages saw them coming, and hiding themselves, 
shot down three of the party before they could es- 
cape. Lieut. Plaisted, with twenty men and a team, 
started to bring in the Ijodies of their slain compan- 
ions. They went silently past the house where Tozier 
had been killed, and reached the place of the ambush; 
the corpses were placed in the cart, and they turned 
toward the garrison with a feeling of security; for 
they supposed their numbers had frightened the sav- 
ages away. Vain thought ! A multitude of dusky 
figures rushed into view from behind fences, logs and 
bushes, pouring a volley of bullets upon the startled 
company. The oxen ran toward tlie garrison, and 
most of the men followed ; but Lieut. Plaisted with 
his son and another valiant soldier disdained to fly. 
Repeatedly the Indians called upon Plaisted to sur- 
render, — for savages as they wei-e, they greatly re- 
spected courage; but the intrepid man refused to 



76 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1675 

yield, and he was literally cut in pieces by tlieir 
hatchets. 

15. The savages soon after went farther down 
the river, burning and killing wherever they dared. 
As they were making an attack upon a house at the 
mouth of the river, a cannon was fired at them from 
tlie Portsmouth battery, on the opposite side, causing 
them to run oif in great alarm. A light snow had just 
fallen, and a force in pursuit was able to follow them 
very rapidly. In a few hours the savages were over- 
taken on the borders of a great swamp, which, loaded 
as they were, they could not pass. They dared not 
ventui-e on a fair fight; so they threw ofi' their plun- 
der, and plunged through the swamp. In passing 
through Wells they killed three men and burned a 
house; but it was their last depredation in Maine 
this year. 

16. Three months had passed since this savage 
slaughter and destruction began, and in that brief 
time eighty persons had been killed between the Pis- 
cataqua and Kennebec. Yet the Inchans had lost a 
larger number, though they had every advantage. 
They never fought in open battle, but chose tlieu- own 
time and place for attack; and, being familiar with 
the country, their scattered bands could easily elude 
pursuit. A large force was now raised to assail the 
hostile tribes in their winter fastnesses. The soldiers 
were not ready to march until the tenth of Decem- 
ber ; but the snow had then fallen to fom* feet in 
depth, and the campaign was abandoned. The In- 
dians now desired peace in order that they might 
hunt; for on account of the war they had raised less 
corn than usual, and had nothing else to live upon. 
So a treaty was made with the Sagamores, by which 
the Indians agreed to return all the captives without 
ransom. Between this time and the next summer 
many were restored; and among the rest Squando 
brought in Elizabeth Wakely, the poor girl who was 



1675 FIRST INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 77 

made an orphiiii by the massacre at Presumpscot 
Eiver. 

What nation mingled familiarly with tlie Indians ? In the wars 
between the English and French which side did the Indians always 
take? Did the English colonies endeavor to deal justly with the 
Indians ? What was the number of the Indians in Maine in lG7o ? 
WLat great sachem warned his tribe not to war against the Eng- 
lish? In what year did King Philip's war begin ? What settle- 
ment was first attacked in ]\laine ? Where did the Indians commit 
sliocking barbarities? How long did the siege of Major Phillip's 
garrison in Biddeford continue ? What took place at Winter Har- 
bor ? What noble action was performed by a young lady in Ber- 
wick ? What brave officer was cut in pieces by the savages a few 
days after ? How many persons were killed in Maine by tho 
liidians this year ? What was the loss of the Indians ? 



CHAPTER X. 

1. If the English had been magnanimous toward 
tlic Indians it is quite possible that the war in Maine 
would have closed in the same season it began. 
Though a treaty had been made, and a few prisoners 
returned, yet the fears of tlie settlers all the winter 
tilled the air with runn)rs of treachery and bloodshed. 
Perhaps some incidents occurred to make these ru- 
mors plausible ; for Major Waldron, one of the Indian 
commissioners, issued general warrants by which 
every man wlio held one could seize any Indian who 
might be accused of kilhng a white man, or who had 
conspired against the peace, or refused to obey the 
authorities. Among others, several sliipraasters ob- 
tained copies of these warrants, and began to seize 
Indians all along the coast. One came to Pemaquid 
for this purpose, where the peace had never been 



78 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1676 

broken. The English besought him to depart, but he 
would not; and they warned the Indians against him. 
Yet he finally caught several, and carried them away 
to a foreign port and sold them for slaves. Of course 
the natives were very angry at these outrages. To 
pacify them Abraham Shm-te and Capt. Sylvanus 
Davis met the chiefs in council at Teconnet (Wins- 
low). Mr. Shurte was a noble and venerable man, 
who had long been the chief magistrate at Pemaquid ; 
and it was mostly owing to his judicious course that 
the natives at the eastward had remained peaceable. 
The Indians demanded that their brothers who had 
been stolen away should be restored to them, and that 
the English should sell them sufficient ammunition to 
procure game for food. These were reasonable de- 
mands, but the agents were unable to comply with 
them; and the council broke up without profit. 

2. On August 12th, 1676, King Philip was killed, 
which ended the war in Massachusetts and Coimecti- 
cut; but many of his tribe escaped and mingled with 
the Indians of Maine. These brought with them an 
intense hatred of the English ; and, johiing with the 
most violent of the Abnakis, they quickly excited the 
hesitating tribes to renewed hostilities. Early in 
August one of the refugees known as "Simon, the 
Yankee-killer," made himself familiar at the house of 
Anthony Brackett, at Back Cove in Falmouth, now 
Portland. A few days after, Mr. Brackett lost one 
of his cows. When Simon was informed of the mis- 
fortune, he said, "I can show you the fellows that 
killed the creature;" and very soon he went away. 
Mr. Brackett suspected treachery; and the settlers at 
once sent messengers to Major Waldron at Dover for 
aid. Before their return Simon came l)ack at the 
liead of a party of savages, saying to Mr. Brackett, 
"Here are the Indians that took your cow." They 
immediately fell upon the family, consisting of 
Brackett, Ins wife, five children and a negro servant. 



16"G FIRST INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 79 

ILivhio; Ixnmd these, they went to tlie other liousesin 
the vicinity, killinii; and taking captive thirty-four per- 
sons. The remainder of tlie inhabitants escaped to 
Munjoy's garrison on the hill, and from here tlieysoon 
removed to Bang's Island. Two days after this attack 
a party of natives came at nightfall to the house of 
Richard Hammond at Stinson's Point in Woolwich, 
who gave the squaws ]:>ermission to lodge on the 
kitchen floor. A girl of the family became so alarmed 
b}' certain tokens of malice and treachery among the 
squaws that she ran out of the house; but some of 
them l)rought her back and tried to allay her fears. 
A little after, she escaped again from the dwelling and 
liid in the cornfield. By and by she heard a great 
tumult in the house, — heavy blows, shrieks, and tlie 
yells of warriors, whom the squaws had let in. At 
this the girl left her hiding ])lace and fled to the near- 
est settlement on the mainland, twelve long miles 
away. 

3. From Hammond's a party of savages w^ent up 
the river, where they took several prisoners, while an- 
other party crossed to Ari-owsic, and concealed them- 
selves near the fort of Messrs. Clark and Lake. It 
was Sunday morning ; and when the slee])y sentinel left 
liis post and entered the gate, the lurking savage 
was at his heels. The sentinel was struck down, and 
the Indians were quickly masters of the fort. Mr 
Lake, Captain Davis and two others, who were in an 
u]t])er room, got out through a back passage, and 
rushing to their boat, made for an island on the east 
The savages followed swiftly, firing u})on them and 
Mounding Captain Davis. On reaching the shore he 
ci-ept up the clilf, and hid among the rocks; where 
the sun, shining in the faces of his pursuers, dazzled 
their eyes so tliat they could not see him. Lake was 
overtaken an<l killed, but the other two escaped. 
Davis laid in his hiding place two days; then crawhng 
to the water's edge, he rolled liimseli' into a cauoe, and 



80 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^76 

drifted away unseen. All the sliore from tlie Kenne- 
bec to Pemaquid was now alive with savages, and the 
inhabitants got away in boats and vessels as best they 
could, — first to Monhegan and other islands, thence 
to Boston and neighboring towns. Soon the smoke 
of burning dwellings arose on every hand, and few 
buildings were left unharmed. The cattle of the set- 
tlers roamed untended in the great pastures, affording 
the Indians plenty of meat ; but above all they pre- 
ferred horse-flesh. 

One day Francis Card, who had been captured in 
Woolwich, was sent with another prisoner to find a 
horse and drive him in to be killed ; but they found a 
canoe instead of a horse, and quickly made their es- 
cape. Simon, the Yankee-killer, had gone to other 
scenes of violence, leaving the family of Anthony 
Brackett to follow, not supposing that they could by 
any means escape ; but they found on the shore, a 
leaky birchen canoe; and Mrs. Brackett repaired it 
so well that they all embarked, and reached Scar- 
borough in safety. 

4. A few families of those who had been driven 
from Casco Neck had gathered on Jewel's Island, un- 
wilhng to go far from the pleasant places they had 
chosen for their homes; but here, too, the savages 
found them. One day as the women were washing 
then- scanty clothing along the gravelly marge of the 
sea, and the children playing happily about, the re- 
port of a gun suddenly signalled the presence of dan- 
ger. The men were out in their boats catching fish, 
as usual; and it was a lad at the house who had fired 
the gun. The brave little fellow had actually killed 
two Indians with the shots that gave the alarm. 
Some of the men now came rapidly to shore, and, 
making a sudden charge, drove the savages to tlieir 
boats. In this alfray the EngUsh lost two killed, and 
five made prisoners. 

5. The General Court now found that something 



167G FIRST INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 81 

must be dune, or tlie Indians would soon cany the 
war into Massachusetts; so one hundred and thu-ty 
Enghsh and forty Natick Indians were enhsted, and 
put under the command of Captain Wilham Ilaw- 
tliorn. These arrived at Dover, Xew Hampshire, on 
September Gth, where they met the soldiers under 
Majors Waldron and Frost. Four hundred other In- 
dians had also gatliered there. Most of them were 
of tlie neutral Pennacooks; but otiiers belonged to 
King Philip's defeated forces; while some were known 
to have been concerned in recent depredations in 
Maine, — and were the very savages whom these troops 
expected to fight; and it was ditficult to prevent the 
soldiers from falling upon them at once. Probal)ly 
they had come there at Major Waldron's invitation 
for the purpose of making a treaty; for he protested 
to the troops that they were relying upon liis honor 
and fidelity. 

6. Finally he proposed an exf)edient which, he 
thought, might preserve his honor with the Indians 
and still satisfy the soldiery. So the next day the In- 
dians were invited to join with the English in a sham 
fight. After they had gone through several military 
mana?uvres Major Waldron ordered a grand round of 
nuisketry. The Inthans promptly discharged their 
guns, while the English, who were in the secret, did 
not empty a musket. They immediately surrounded 
the astonished savages, and made prisoners of them 
all without the loss of a life. The Pennacooks and 
other friendly Indians were set at hberty; but the 
otliers — about two hundred — were marched to Boston. 
Here several were proved to have taken the lives of 
tlie English sijice the treaty, and were therefore put 
to death; while the others were carried to foreign 
conntries and sold as slaves. This afi'air was long 
known as "Waldron's Ruse." It was a trick that the 
Indians never forgot nor forgave; and they wreaked 
on him a terrible vengeance. 



82 mSTOEY OF MAINE. 1676 

7. Captain Hawthorn the next day set ont "\vith a 
small company for Casco Neck, to rebuild the fort. 
One day seven of the inhabitants, who had now re- 
turned, went to Peaks' Island to kill some sheep. 
While thus employed they were attacked by savages, 
and took refuge in an old stone house. They de- 
fended themselves bravely; but by the guns of the 
savages and the stones thrown down upon them from 
the walls, all were killed except one, who soon after- 
ward died of his wounds. 

The next day, in Wells, James Gooch was shot from 
his horse by the Indians, as he returned from divine 
service ; and his wife, who rode on the same horse, 
was cut in ])ieces with their hatchets. On the follow- 
ing day they burned the settlement at Cape Neddock, 
in York, killing and carrying away captive forty per- 
sons. The Indians came and went with such rapidity 
and secrecy that Captain Hawthorn's troops were una- 
ble to meet them ; so on the twelfth of October they 
returned to Berwick. Two days after their departure 
one hundred and twenty Indians attacked the fort at 
Black Point in Scarborough, where the inhabitants 
who remained had taken refuge, which was immedi- 
ately abandoned. 

The leader of the savages was a shrewd Tarratine 
sagamore named Mugg. He knew the garrison was 
strong, and induced the commander, Henry Jocelyn, 
to come out and hold a parley with him. Mugg pro- 
posed easy terms of surrender; and while they were 
talking the sul)ject over, managed to draw Jocelyn to 
a distance from the garrison. On returning to the 
fort he was astounded to find that all the occupants 
except his own servants had fled to the boats. Mugg 
therefore secured the fort unharmed, nnich to his 
gratification ; for the Indians desired the place for an 
encampment. 

8. Al)out this time Captain Fryer was sent to 
Kichmond's Island to bring away goods; but the sav- 



1676 FIRST INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 83 

ages set upon his men as they were carrying the goods 
to the vessel, and all were killed or made prisoners. 
They were oifered release for a certain additional 
quantity of goods; and two of the English were sent 
for the articles. They returned within the time nam- 
ed, but the Indians who had l)een left to guard the 
prisoners, took the goods and kept the men. 

Mugg next led his band against the garrison at 
"Wells, and sent a prisoner to demand a surrender. 

"Never," replied the commander, "never shall the 
gates be opened until every one within is dead." 

This determined reply showed Mugg that he could 
not hope to get possession of the fort except by severe 
fighting, and he made no attack ; but his Indians killed 
two or three men wliom tliey fouTid outside. They 
then cut the throats of thirteen cattle; and taking out 
tlieir tongues, retired to the woods to make a dainty 
meal. 

9. The cold weather was now coming on, and it 
was supposed that the Sokokis would soon be gathered 
in tlieir winter quarters at the great fort on the Ossi- 
pee Eiver; and on the first of November Captains 
Ilawthorn and Sill set out with their companies to 
attack them. After two months of severe toil and 
liardsliip, tliey returned witliout having seen a single 
Iiuhiin. 

Before the troops had been gone a week, Mugg 
himself came into Piscataqua bringing Captain Fryer, 
who was dying from his wounds. He told the au- 
thorities that the prisoners taken at Richmond's Isl- 
and should be restored without ransom ; and offered 
to negotiate a treaty. He was taken to Boston, 
where, on November 6th, he signed a treaty in behalf 
of his master, Ma(k>ckawando, sachem of the Tarra- 
tines. The terms of this treaty were that all acts of 
hostility should cease, all English captives, vessels and 
goods be restored, full satisfaction rendered for dam- 
ages, that his tribe should luiy ammunition of those 



84 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1676 

only whom tlie governor should appoint, and that the 
Indians of Penobscot should take up arms against the 
Androscoggins and other eastern natives, if' thej per- 
sisted in the war. 

"In proof of my sincerity and honor," said Mugg, 
"I pleclge myself an hostage in your hands till the cap- 
tives, vessels and goods are restored; and I lift my 
hand to Heaven in witness of my honest heart in this 
treaty." 

10. It was certainly a strange treaty for a victori- 
ous leader to make, as all its stipulations were in favor 
of the Enghsh. A vessel was sent to Penobscot with 
him to have the treaty ratified by the sagamores, and 
to bring home the captives. The treaty was agreed 
to, but only some eighteen or twenty prisoners were 
restored, though there nnist have been more than fifty 
at this time among the Indians. Mugg now set out 
for the Kennebec for the pm-pose of inducing the 
Canibas tribe to join in the peace. He pretended to 
be in much fear of harm tbr having made so easy a 
peace ; saying to the captain of the vessel, "If I do 
not return in four days you may conclude I am cer- 
tainly bereft of life or liberty." A week passed, yet 
nothing was heard from Mugg; and the vessel went 
back to Boston with the treaty and the captives. 

11. There was still a fear among the settlements 
that peace and safety were not secured. Few of the 
prisoners were restored, and Mugg's conduct was sus- 
picious; besides, it was believed that Indians from 
Narragansett were in Maine inciting the natives to 
resume the war. At length it began to be quite cer- 
tain that hostilities would be resumed in the spring 
unless some decisive steps were taken ; therefore in 
February of 1677, Majors Waldron and Frost were 
sent eastward with an hundred and fifty men to see 
what the savages were about, and to obtain further 
pledges of peace. 

The troops landed at Marc Point in Brunswick ; 



1G77 FIRST INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 85 

iiicetini^ tliere a p«ii'ty of Indians led by Sqiiando, the 
Sokokis sachem, and Simon, the Yankee-killer, — with 
whom they liad a skirmish. Unahle to obtain aiiy 
ca])tives here, the troops re-embarked and went to the 
Kennel )ee. Here a party was sent to Merrymeeting 
Bay in search of the Canibas Indians, Avhile Waldron 
kept on to Penobscot with the remainder. 

12. About the last of the month he met a com- 
pany of Tarratines at Pemaqnid. At the first inter- 
view they agreed to dehver up some prisoners whom 
they had received from the Canibas, for twelve beaver 
skins each and some good liquor. Major Waldi-on 
and five men were to bring the articles in the after- 
noon; and both they and the Indians who met them 
were to be unarmed. Oidy three captives were 
brought. Waldron suspected treachery, and looking 
about he espied the point of a lance under a board. 
This led to the discovery of other weapons. Seizing 
one, he brandished it in their faces, exclaiming, "Per- 
fidious wretches ! you intended to get our goods and 
tlicn kill us, did you ?" For a moment tlie savages 
were confounded; then they rushed upon him and 
tried to wrest the weapon from his hands. He waved 
his cap to the ship, and bravely continued the strug- 
gle. His companions armed themselves from a jnle 
of guns which they had uncovered, while other In- 
dians came to join in the afiray. A re-enforcement 
Avliich had started from the vessels at tlie waving of 
the cap, now reached the shore, — and just then a stout 
6(|uaw seized her arms full of tlie hidden guns, and ran 
away with them into the woods. Finding themselves 
overpowered, the natives fled, some into their canoes 
and others into the woods. The boats attacked the 
canoes, siid<ing one and disabling others, and killing 
6(>veral of the Indians. A pow-wow and two saga- 
mores — ^lattaliando and the bloody Megunnaway — 
were killed, and a sister of the sachem Madocka- 
wando was taken prisoner. The whole force now re- 



86 HISTOEY OF MAINE. 1^77 

turned to Boston, witli the exception of forty men 
nnder Captain Davis, who remained as a garrison at 
the mouth of the Kennebec. This expedition did 
more harm than good; for the natives were not paci- 
fied, but rendered more revengeful. 

13. In the spnng the General Court decided to 
employ the Mohawks in the war ; though many good 
people thought it wrong to seek the aid of the heath- 
en. The Mohawks were the hereditary enemies of 
the eastern Indians; and the first thing they did was 
to kill some of a friendly tril^e, not knowing tlie differ- 
ence between friends and foes. Among others who 
fell by their hands was a sagamore called Blind Will; 
but the English did not feel very sorry for his death, 
because of his duphcity. Finally these heatlien allies 
were dismissed; but t^he news that the English were 
bringing the Mohawks to fight them went lilce the wind 
through the tribes from Piscataqua to Cape Sable, 
exciting them to the highest pitch of activity. 

14. The garrison at Kennebec, sometime in 
March, attempted to bury the bodies of those slain on 
Arrowsic Island seven months before ; but the In- 
dians were watching them, and nine were killed before 
they could escape in their boats. This point was soon 
after abandoned; and now there remained in Maine 
only the settlements of York, Wells, Kittery, ]!^ewich- 
awannock and Winter Harbor. On tlie seventh of 
April the savages killed eight men while at work in 
their fields in York; and the next day they were 
heard from in Wells, where they prowled about in 
large and small parties, kilhng and burning, all through 
the month. 

15. Black Point had now been garrisoned anew; 
and on May 16th it was again attacked. After three 
days a sharp shooter in the fort brought down the In- 
dian leader, and the siege was soon after abandoned; 
but the Enghsh had lost four men, one of whom was 
tortured to death. On the twenty-eighth of June 



1^"7 FIRST INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 87 

Captain Biinjaniiu Swctt and Lieutenant Rieliardson 
with a tbi'ce of English and friendly Indians arrived to 
aid in the defense of this place and Winter Harbor. 
The next day they marched out in search of the ene- 
my. They soon came upon a party, which kamedi- 
ately retreated, leading the whole pursuing force 
hetween a swamp and a dense thicket about two miles 
from the fort. The party was only a decoy. The 
moment the Enghsh reached the most exposed point 
they heard the terril)]e war whoop, and a volley from 
a host of ambushed savages laid many a brave man 
low. Soon Lieutenant Richardson fell; and the fight 
became hand to hand. 

16. It was now plain that the English were greatly 
outnumbered; yet Captain Swett, with great bravery 
and coolness, repeatedly rallied his old lighters to 
cover the retreat of the new recruits, and to bring off 
tlie wounded. lie had received many wounds, and 
was becoming weak. The savages, seeing liis condi- 
tion, grap])le(l him, and, tlirowing him to the ground, 
cut him in pieces before the eyes of the garrison. 
"With liim fell forty English, and twenty friendly In- 
dians, — just two thirds of the number he led into 
action. 

The chief who had been shot from tliis garrison in 
May, wliich had caused the Indians to withdraw, 
proved to be Mugg, the Tarratine. He was a savage 
more than usually brave and cunning. You will re- 
meml)er that he made a treaty for liis tribe the year 
l)efore, and was sent to persuade the Canibas to join 
in the peace. lie pretended to be very much afraid 
tliat they would kill liini for his services to the Eng- 
lisli; but I suspect that he was as much opposed to a 
pLM-manent pea(;e as they were, for he even made sug- 
gestions to them for tlie next season's campaign, "I 
know how we can even burn Boston and drive all the 
country before us," said he. " We must go to the 
fishing islands and take all the white mail's vessels.''^ 



88 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^77 

17. Accordingly, when tlie time of year came for 
Bay fishing, the savages proceeded to execute this 
plan. In the daytime they prowled along the shores, 
spymg out their prey; and in the darkness of night 
they slid out noiselessly in their light canoes, boarding 
the motionless vessels, and Idlling or captnring their 
sleeping crews. In the month of July they secured 
about twenty vessels, each of them having a crew of 
from three to six men. When these captures became 
known, a large ship was sent out after them. She was 
supplied with plenty of cannon and small arms, and 
manned by forty seamen and soldiers. It was expected 
that this vessel would somewhere encounter the Indian 
fleet, whicli she would capture or sink, and at the 
same time destroy a multitude of savages. She came 
upon the vessels, — one here, another there, — some 
aground, and others beating against the rocks, — ^but 
not an Indian in any of them. The vessels were so 
large they could not be navigated by paddles; and 
the sails flew and flapped about, while the vessels went 
in any direction but that which their dusky sailors de- 
sired; consequently they soon abandoned the prizes in 
fright and disgust. 

18. Manhattan had now been regained by the 
English, and again become "New York"; and Sir Ed- 
mund Andros was sent over as governor. He saw 
liow the eastern settlements were overrun by the sav- 
ages; and, fearing that the French might take posses- 
sion of the Duke of York's province, he sent a strong 
military force to Pemaquid. The Indians were much 
discouraged by the failure of their naval project, and 
the sight of so largo a force broke their courage down 
entirely; and the Tarratines very soon made a treaty 
with the commander, and gave np their captives and 
some booty. 

The next spring the commissioners of Massachu- 
setts and the sagamores of the Sokokis, Androscog- 
gins and Canibas met at Casco (Falmouth) and made 



1G78 FIRST INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 89 

a treaty. The a^-reeineut was that all captives should 
be restored without ransom, and that the inhabitants 
should possess their lands on condition of paying to 
the natives a peck of corn annually for each family. 
This closed the first Indian war, which had raged 
three years. In this war two Imndred and sixty 
inhabitants of Maine were known to have been killed 
or carried into captivity from which they never re- 
turned; while more than half the settlements were 
laid waste. 

What excellent magistrate lived at Pemaquid? Wlien did King 
Philip's war close ? AVliat fugitive from Philip's forces led the 
attack on Fahnonth ? What places at Sagadahoc were captured 
by the Indians soon after ? What took place at Dover soon after 
these events ? What happened at Peak's Island while Capt. Haw- 
thorn was rebuilding the fort at Casco Neck? What chieftain 
led the attack on Black Point and Wells ? For what point did a 
large force set out to meet the Indians ? Who came into Piscata- 
qua to make peace a few days after? Where did Major Waldron 
go in February to meet the Indians? What happened this spring 
at Arrowsic Island ? What two brave English leaders fell at Black 
Point this season ? What noted sagamore was killed by a shot 
from the fort in ]May? What was ^Mugg'a plan for attacking the 
Bcttlements? What events put an cud to the war? Uow many 
settlemeuts had been destroyed ? 



90 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1687 



CnAPTEH XI. 

1. Several years 1)efore tlie first Indian war a French- 
man called Baron Castine had come to Bignydace, on 
the eastern side of Penobscot Bay, and opened a trade 
with the natives. He had originally come to Canada 
in command of a regiment; and when that was dis- 
banded, feeling himself aggrieved, he phmged into 
the wilderness far away from all his kindred and na- 
tion. Here he soon married a daughter of Madocka- 
wando, sachem of the Penobscot Indians, and himself 
became a sagamore of that tribe. Twice during the 
war the Dutch drove him away from his settlement; 
and in 1676 the Enghsli drove the Dutch away. 
Then, as the Dutch hked the region so well, and there 
were too many at New York, Governor Andros settled 
several f^imilies of them about Pemaquid. 

2. In 1687 Andros was appointed governor of 
New England; and, taking a tour eastward in the 
spring of tlie next year, lie, also, made a descent upon 
Castine's settlem.ent. He found there a fort, dwelling 
house, trading house, and chapel; but Castme liimself 
with all his people had cautiously retired to the woods. 
Like Castine, Andros was a Papist; so he touched 
nothing in the chapel, which was very richly decor- 
ated, but carried away all else that was movable, — 
furniture, firearms and goods. On his return he met 
some of the Tarratines at Pemaquid, and told them 
not to fear or follow the French, ofiering them his 
protection. "Tell your friend Caotine," said Andros, 
"if he will render loyal obedience to the King of Eng- 
land, every article taken from him shall be restored." 
In order to make sure of the good will of the Indians, 
he made them presents of clothing, and treated them 
with ardent spirits. 



1688 FIRST FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 91 

The colonists did not liavc much confidence in the 
peace-making of Governor Andros, and wanted to 
prepare for war; but he would not allow them. A 
little more than two months later the war broke out. 

3. It was about the middle of August, 1688, that 
the Indians wajlayed two men in North Yarmouth as 
they were out looking for their oxen. Other savages 
then approached a party who were at work on the 
garrison house, and soon commenced a fight with 
them. The English retired to the river, where they 
were partially protected by the high, steep l)ank, and 
made a brave defense until their ammunition was 
gone. The people Hving on the other side of the 
river had become aware of the fight. One of these, 
Captain AYalter Gendell, perceiving that his country- 
men had ceased firing, seized a bag of ammunition 
and liastened in his boat to their relief; but as he 
reached the shore he was shot fatally by the sav-agcs 
upon the bank. He had just strength enough to 
tlirow the ammunition to his friends, and say, "I 
have lost my hfe in your service," — tlien breathed his 
last. With this fresh supply tlie English beat ofi" their 
foes. 

4. At midnight the Indians repaired to Lane's Isl- 
and, a short distance out in the bay; where they held 
their horrid carousal, butchering the two men whom 
they captured before the fight. The settlers consid- 
ered it imprudent to remam any longer at North Yar- 
mouth, and soon removed to the islands; being fiercely 
attacked here also, they finall}^ fled to Boston. 

Early in August a band of near a hundred Indians, 
unknown to the inhabitants, hung about the village of 
Jamestown at Pemaquid, and at length captured a 
man passing from tliere toward tlie Kennel)ec. 
Learning from their prisoner the condition of the set- 
tlement, they proceeded to make an attack. One 
party followed Judge Gyles, who, witli fourteen men, 
had gone to work on the farms at the falls three miles 
5 



92 HISTORY or MAmE. 1688 

above; wliile tli« others entered tlie village, and sue 
ceeded in getting possession of several dwellings, and 
from this shelter made their assault on the fort. 

5. At night the garrison were summoned to sur- 
render: the cool reply was, "We are weary and want 
sleep." They expected, doubtless, that the party from 
the farms would return as soon as the darkness was 
sufficient to cover them. The night passed, but there 
were no tidings of the absent men. Two days more 
the garrison held out, and all hopes from Gyles and 
his men were given up. Weems, the commander of 
the fort, had fallen, and his little company found 
themselves obliged to yield. They were allowed, ac- 
cording to the stipulations, to retain their arms, and 
depart in a sloop which lay in tlie harbor. The In- 
dians then destroyed the fort and houses, and departed 
with their spoil and prisoners. 

6. It was soon after noon of the first day of the 
siege when about forty warriors led by a chief named 
Moxus came upon Gyles' party. Tlie savages at once 
gave them a volley ; then with demoniac yells rushed 
upon them. A few only escaped, the larger number be- 
ing either killed or captured. Judge Gyles was mor- 
tally wounded, and his sons James and John taken pris- 
oners. In answer to a taunt of Moxus, the old man 
made reply: "I am a dying man, and ask no favors 
but to pray with my sons." Tliis having been grant- 
ed, the poor old gentleman was led aside and dis- 
patched with a hatchet. Soon after this the boys met 
with their mother and two little sisters, also captives; 
but these were redeemed within a few months. John 
remained in captivity nine years, enduring many hard- 
ships and abuses. At last he was purchased by a 
French trader, and restored to his surviving relatives. 
Afterward he served the government as interpreter and 
as a soldier for many years. His brother fared worse. 
After three years of captivity he attempted to escape, 
but was retaken, and put to torture on the lieigl ts of 
Castiue. 



1689 FIRST FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 93 

7. In consequence of the ftill of Jamestown at 
Pemaquid, the coast east of the Kennebec Avas now 
deserted; and it remained without inhabitants for 
nearly thirty years. Governor Andros still pursued 
his peace pohcy, setting; the Indian captives at liberty, 
and attemptin*;- to treat witli the tri])es at several times 
and places. Not meeting with the least success, the 
governor took a violent turn the other way; and, 
raisinir ei^ht hundred men, he sent them eastward to 
wreak terrific vengeance on the refractory savages. 
By setting out late in November, they suffered greatly 
during the whole campaign from cold and exposure; 
and failed to kill or capture a single savage, or even to 
see one of them. 

In the spring the Massachusetts people revolted 
against Governor Andros, and sent him a prisoner to 
England ; for King James II., who appointed him to 
otHce, liad abdicated the throne, and WiUiam and Mary 
were king and queen of England. The government 
chosen by the people of New England was again re- 
vived; Deputy Governor Danforth of Massachusetts 
being governor of the province of Maine. 

8. The new government sent peaceful messages to 
Earon Castine and to the Tarratines, hoping that 
tliesc and the well-manned garrisons might prevent 
the renewal of hostilities. The hope was vain. My 
readers will remember the affair at Dover in the first 
war, called "Waldron's Ruse." That evil seed now 
bore its dreadful fruit. On the evening of the seventh 
of June, 1680, two squaws came to the garrison at 
this place, and begged for lodgings. Their request 
was granted. At the most silent hour of night, when 
all others in the garrison were sunk in repose, the 
treacherous squaws opened the gates; and two hun- 
dred savages who had been crouching outside, rushed 
in at the moment. The commander of the garrison 
was the same l\rajor Waldron who, twelve years be- 
fore, had broken liis faith with the Indians, and made 



94 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1689 

four hundred of tliem prisoners. But his fi_Qjhting days 
were now well nigh over, for he was eighty years of 
age. The Indians quickly found the apartment where 
he and liis young wile lay asleep. The door was bro- 
ken; but, wakened by the noise, the old hero sprang 
from his bed and drove his assailants back through 
two rooms with liis sword. As he turned back for 
his pistols he was stunned by a blow upon the head ; 
and in a moment he was in the grasp of the savages. 
They dragged the white-haired old man into the hall, 
and bound him into his own arm chair, which they 
had placed upon the long table. Often for many years 
past, had he sat at this table as justice of the peace, 
setthng the disputes of both the English and the In- 
dians. It was a wild group that now gathered in that 
room, beneath the ruddy glare of the torches, — tliat 
brave old man, his white hair and loose garments 
waving in the midnight wind, — and about liim the 
cruel fjices of the painted savages. 

9. "I cross out my account," cried they, as each 
of the two hundred in turn drew his knife across the 
body of their victim. When his flesh was filled with 
gashes, they cut off liis nose and ears, and thrust them 
into his moiitli; and, to close this .scene of vengeance, 
they tumbled the dying man over'upon his sword held 
erect upon the table. So died the noble Major Wal- 
dron, and the revenge of the savages was accomplish- 
ed. Then they set the village un Are, killed twenty- 
three of the inhabitants, and carried away captive 
twenty-nine others, whom they sold to the French for 
servants. 

The Indians now ranged through the provinces of 
Maine and Sagadahock; in the daytime waylaying the 
traveler upon his road and the husbandman upon liis 
farm, in the darkness prowling about the blockhouses 
and stockades, to surprise the unwary inmates; so 
that before the summer of this year was past, all the 
country eastward of Falmouth was deserted. At the 



1G89 FIRST FREXCn AND INDIAN WAR. 95 

last of August M.MJor Swaine was sent eastward 
from Massachusetts with near six hundred men; with 
whom he {rove t]\e Indians from Scarborough and 
Fahnouth, though at the expense of nearly half of 
Capt, Hall's company. 

10. About three weeks after, Benjamin Church, who 
had been very successful in King Philip's war, was 
juit in chief command in Maine. At Fort Loyal, on 
Ciisco Neck, (Portland) he met a daughter of Major 
AValdron, wlio had just been rescued from the Indians 
by a Dutch pri> ateer, then in the harbor. She told 
Major Church "that the Indians, who had brought her 
into the bay, numbered near seven hundred; and 
that several Fi-enchmen were with them. 

Church detc^Tmined to be ready for them ; and at 
daylight he pasted two companies of English and In- 
dians under Ca])tain Hall among some small trees near 
the head of Back Cove, about half a mile northwest 
of the village. Before the Major had finished his 
breakfast Captain Ilall discovered the savages on the 
opposite side of the cove, and immediately crossed 
and attacked them. Church now learned that nearly 
the whole stock of Indlets was too large for the guns; 
and he had them cut up into slugs as quickly as possi- 
ble. Messengers were sent to the cove witli a su]»])ly 
lor Captain Hall, but the tide was up, and they dared 
not go o\er. In this dilemma an Indian ot^ Hall's 
force, called Captain Lightfoot, threw down his gun 
and forded the stream to meet the messengers; and 
taking a knapsack of powder on his head and a kettle 
of buUots in each hand, he waded safely back; so 
the con.panies were enabled to maintain their position. 

11. Meantime Major Church had gone up the 
stream in order to cross the bridge and tall upon the 
rear of the enemy. Just beyond the bridge the sav- 
ages liad built breastworks of logs and bushes, be- 
hind which they were hiding. Clunvh ordered hia 
men to scatter and rash across ; but before they could 



56 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^^^^ 

T'eacli tlie breastworks every Indian liad fled. Before 
Olmrcli could find them, those in front of Captain 
Hall liad also retreated, escaping into a cedar swamp 
at the west. 

After this repulse the Indians were not seen again 
for the season, though the forces ranged as far east as 
Kennebec; therefore when winter came on. Church 
returned to Massachusetts, leaving sixty of his soldiers 
to garrison Fort Loyal. Through the season of snows 
the Indians were occupied as usual in procuring their 
necessary food, and the settlers of Maine had rest; 
but with the opening of the spring the war was re- 
newed with increased vigor. 

12. At daybreak of the eighteenth of March, 1690, 
the inhabitants of Newichawannock (Berwick) were 
aroused by the yells of the savages at their doors. 
The attacking party consisted of fifty-two French and 
Indians under M. D'Artel of Canada, and Hopehood, 
a chieftain of the Kennebec. The people defended 
themselves bravely, but thirty-four were killed, while 
fifty-four, mostly women and children, fell into the 
hands of the savages, and were carried into captivity. 
There were at this time about twenty-seven houses in 
the village, which, together with the barns, mills, and 
many cattle, were destroyed. 

13. In the May follo-sving, four or five hundred 
French and Indians came into Casco Bay from the 
Kennebec and Penobscot in a great flotilla of canoes. 
Probably they were alarmed by the fleet of Commo- 
dore Phipps, who had just sailed past this coast on 
his way to Acadia ; for they did not make their attack 
at once, but encamped somewhere in Falmouth, rav- 
aging among the cattle of the settlers. Meantime a 
force of one hundred mihtia from the western towns, 
together with a part of the garrison of Fort Loyal, 
were sent out in search of them. While they were 
absent thirty young volunteers from the garrison as- 
tended Mun joy's Ilill, to see if any savages were Im-k 



IC90 FIRST FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 97 

ing in that vicinity. On tliis hill, about half a mile 
from the fort, was a long green lane leading to a 
house at the edge of the woods. As tliey passed 
through this lane they noticed that the cattle were 
staring strangely at the fence; and, suspecting that 
Indians miglit be hidden there, they rushed towards 
the point with a loud "huzza." Yery dearly did they 
pay for their rashness; for the watchful savages poured 
upon them a volley which brought fourteen of theii' 
number to the ground. The remainder fled to the 
village, closely pursued by the French and Indians. 
These assailed with great fury the houses where the 
people had taken refuge, and killed a great many of 
them ; but in the night those who were left escaped to 
Fort Loyal. The next morning the enemy plundered 
the village and set it on lire. They next attacked the 
fort, but the cannon kept them at such a distance that 
they could do little harm. But they soon found a deep 
gulley not far away where the guns could not touch 
them; and here they began to mine toward the garri- 
son. After several days an underground passage had 
been carried very near the walls of the fort ; and its 
surrender was demanded. The commander was mor- 
tally wounded ; and, as the enemy offered ftiir terms 
and kind treatment, the garrison capitulated. Ma- 
dockawando, the Tarratine, with his son-in-law, Baron 
Castine, were the chief Indian leaders ; and the whole 
was under the command of a Frenchman named 
Burneffe. The leaders made little attempt to restrain 
the savages; and the wounded, together with many of 
the women and children, were brutally murdered, and 
the others treated in a most barbarous manner. 

1-1. Fort Loyal having fallen, all the garrisons as 
fir west as Wells were now al)andoned; and again the. 
IndiaiH ranged victoriously over Maine, making cap- 
tives and l)urning buildings in every quarter. Many 
of these captives were detained for months in the wil- 
derness; made to carry the packs of plunder tlirough 



98 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1690 

rough woods and tangled swamps, over rugged hills, 
in rain, snow and cold, — ^poorly clad and often half 
starved, — and still urged on by di*eadful threats and 
the points of the Indians' weapons. 

"WTiat Frenchman lived at Biguyduce at the time of the first 
Indian war ? Who was appointed governor of New England in 
1G87? In what year did the second Indian war break out ? "What 
noble deed was performed at Yarmouth, and bj'' whom ? "What 
place east of the Kennebec was captured by the Indians ? How 
long did the region east of Sagadahoc now remain without inhab- 
itants ? At the abdication of James 11. what happened in New 
England ? Can j'^ou give an account of the massacre at Cocheco, 
or Dover ? Who was placed in command of the forces in Maine 
In 1G8!) ? Give an account of his engagement with the Indians at 
Casco Neck. Who led the attack on Newichavvannock the next 
ipring? In what bay did the Indians next appear? Who were 
the leaders of the attack on Fort Loyal ? What was the most 
•asterly settlement now remaining? 



CHAPTER XII. 

1. Soon after the capture of Fort Loyal the French 
withdrew from Maine; for Sir Wilham Phipps was 
giving them employment enough in then* own terri- 
tory, 

Phipps was a Maine boy, the son of a gunsmith at 
Woolwich on the Sheepscot River, where he was born 
in the year 1650. He had twenty-five brothers and 
sisters, Ijeing himself the tenth cliild. Wlien he was 
about sixteen years of age his father died, leaving ht- 
tle else than a small farm for the support of his nu- 
merous family. Wilham continued to work on the 
farm until he was eighteen, when he was apprenticed 
to a ship carpenter for four years. At the close of 



1690 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 99 

Ills appreuticGship he went to Boston and worked at 
his trade, and learned to read and write. A year o^ 
two later he married; and soon after this he went 
back to his old home on the Sheepscot River, and 
built a ship for some Boston men. The vessel was 
completed just as the first Indian war broke out. lie 
had purchased a cargo of lumber to take to Boston 
wlien he delivered the ship to its owners; but, seeing 
the inhabitants in distress and in danger of destruction 
by the savages, he abandoned his lumber at a great 
loss, and, taking the afflicted people on board, carried 
them away to a place of safety. 

2. After building vessels and making voyages for 
several years he learned that a Spanish ship laden 
with treasure had been sunk near the Bahama Islands. 
He told his story to the Duke of Albermarle, who 
aided him in obtaining one of the king's ships, in 
which he sailed in search of the ^^^'eck. The tirst 
voyage was unsuccessful, l)ut on the second he found 
it lying under forty or lifty feet of water. lie ob- 
tained from it thirtj'-four tons of silver, beside gold, 
pearls and jewels, worth in all $1,350,000. His part 
of this amounted to $70,000. For the fair manner 
in which he treated the crew, and the honest divi- 
sion he made of the spoil, tlie king made him a 
knight; and the Duke and Duchess of Albermarle 
sent his wife a golden cup worth fom* thousand dol- 
lars, as a special mark of esteem. 

At home, when the expedition against Acadia 
was planned, he was thought to be the fittest person 
to command it; and so he was made commodore. He 
•sailed from Boston early in May, 1690, with a frigate 
of forty guns and eight other vessels. He took pos- 
session of the country, captured the authorities, and, 
at the close of tlie same month, returned to Boston, 
bringing suthcient of the enemy's merchanchse to pay 
the expense of the expedition. 

3. The suci<;ss of Phipps cncom*aged the colonistfl 

LcfC. 



100 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1690 

to send an expedition against Canada, which started 
early in the next August — the sea forces only be- 
ing under his command. The land forces were to 
march from New York by way of Lake Champlain, 
and meet the fleet on the St. Lawrence. But the 
army met with discouragements and turned back ; and 
Pliipps, not receiving the promised aid from Eng land, 
was repulsed before the strong fortifications of Que- 
bec. On his return a great storm wrecked many of 
the vessels, and scattered the remainder so that they 
came into Boston one by one, some of them not arriv- 
ing for nearly a month after. The colonies had 
counted on success, and had expected the spoils to pay 
the expense, as before ; and there was no money in 
the treasury to pay the men, and very little specie 
among the inhabitants. 

Then for the first time in America, paper money 
was contrived. Li December the General Court of 
Massachusetts issued what were called "Bills of 
Credit," with which the public debts were paid. It 
soon depreciated so that one dollar in specie was 
worth four dollars in bills; but they afterward in- 
creased in value until that they were worth as much 
as the coin. 

4. A few weeks after Phipps set out for the St. 
Lawrence Major Church was sent again into Maine. 
He landed at Maquoit, and marched directly to the 
falls at Pejepscot (Brunswick). Not finding any In- 
dians, he continued up the river. A little past noon 
of the next day he came in sight of the cataract at a 
place called by the Indians Amity onp onto ok, now, 
known as Lewiston Falls. Before they came to the 
Little Androscoggin, which was still between them 
and the Indian fort, they were discovered by a savage 
near the river. In order to surprise the Indians, 
Church was obliged to act with all possible speed ; 
and, while one company staid with the baggage, the 
other two, with Church at then- head, waded tho 



1690 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 10] 

river, and ran swiftly towards the fort. But tlie In- 
dian they had seen was there before them ; and just 
as tliey burst in the soutli i^ate the savages rushed out. 
at the north, and retreated down the hill to the large 
rivor. But Church's men had cut them oft' from their 
canoes; and some of them were shot in the water, 
M'hile only one gained the opposite bank — for the 
current here was very strong, it being just below the 
falls. The larger number of Indians, however, had 
run under the cataract, and hid in the rocky caverns 
behind the falling waters, and thus escaped. Sev- 
eral prisoners were taken at the fort, among whom 
were the wives and children of Worumbee, the sachem 
of the region, and of Kancamagus, a Pennacook chief- 
tain. "Tell the sagamores," said Church, as he de- 
parted, "tliat they may lind their ^\dves and children 
at WeUs." 

5. On his return he had a skirmish with a body of 
savages at the mouth of the Saco, and another at Cape 
Elizabeth, — in both of which the enemy was beaten. 
In October these chiefs with several other Indians, 
came to Wells, and were much gratified to receive 
again their wives and children. 

"The French have made fools of us," said they; 
"we will go to war against you no more ; we are ready 
to meet your head men at any time and place you ap- 
point, and enter into a treaty." 

Accordingly, on the last of November, six saga- 
mores met the commissioners at Sagadahock, where 
they surrendered a few prisoners and signed a truce. 
The truce was to continue until the next May, when 
they were to bring the remaining prisoners to Wells, 
and make a lasting peace. 

G. Yet it was a dismal winter to the people of 
Maine; for they had known too much of Indian 
treachery to feel at ease respecting the next season. 
Every town east of Wells had been destroyed ; and 
only the settlements of Wells, York, Kittcry and the 



102 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1691 

IsL'S of Slioals now remained. The settlement in 
Wells was near the beach, where there were several 
houses of hewn timber, with flankers and watch tow- 
ers — a little village of block houses. In some of 
these the upper storj was largest, projecting over the 
lower story; while others had the upper story turned 
so that the corners projected beyond the sides of the 
lower story. Tliis was for the purpose of firing down 
upon assailants, if they should come close to the build- 
ing. The sides were also pierced with long, narrow 
openings for the guns. 

T. In May, 1691, the time set for the treaty, Mr. 
Danforth, President of the province, with several 
other members of the government, came to Wells to 
meet the Indians. None appeared; but Captain Con- 
verse found several lurking in the neighborhood, and 
brought them in. When asked why the sagamores 
were not present according to promise, their answer 
was, "We no remember the time. But still we now 
give up two captives ; and we promise, certain, to 
bring the rest in ten days." They departed, and 
though the oflflcers waited, nothing more was seen of 
them. 

On the ninth of June thirty-five soldiers came to 
reinforce the garrison at Wells; and in half an hour 
after their arrival the place was attacked by two hun- 
dred Indians under the famous Moxus. Being re- 
pulsed here they went to Cape Neddock, in York, 
where they killed the crew of a vessel, and burned the 
houses. 

8. Two or three weeks later, four companies under 
Captain King started in search of the savages, meeting 
them at Maquoit Bay, in Brunswick, where he had a 
sharp sldrmish. During the remainder of the season 
the Indians shunned to meet the English forces, but 
hung about the coast and remaining villages, burning 
exposed buildings, and shooting down or taking cap- 
tive lone men, women and children. 



1G92 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 103 

Early in the morning of February fifth, 1092, tlie 
inhabitants of York, wliilc yet in their beds, heard the 
report of a gun. It was the Indians' signal of attack. 
Between two and three hundred savages, led by 
Fronclimen, instantly fell upon the unarmed settlers; 
and in lialf of an hour, more than a hundred and 
sixty of the inhabitants were helpless captives, or 
lay bleeding on the cold snow. There were four 
strongly fortified houses in the settlement, and the 
people who found shelter in these alone escaped ; and 
when the savages demanded a surrender, their answer 
was, "Never, till we have shed the last drop of blood." 




OAliKISON HOUSE AT YOKK, BUILT ABOUT 1G45. 

9. So after plundering and setting fire to tlie re- 
maining houses the Indians went away, carrying with 
them nearly a hundred prisoners. The sutferings of 
these from hunger, cold and fatigue must have been 



104 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^^92 

very great; yet tliere was one pleasant inci{leT)t in this 
terrible ali'air. In Captain King's expedition from 
York eastward in the sninmer previous he left un- 
harmed four or five Indian women and their children 
whom lie found at Pejepscot; and for this the savages 
now sent hack to the garrison several elderly women 
and young children. 

The garrison at Wells at this time consisted of only 
fifteen soldiers under Captain Converse; and on the 
ninth of June two sloops came in with supplies and a 
reinforcement. About an hour after their arrival the 
cattle ran in from the pastures, frightened and bleeding. 
By this the settlers knew that there were Indians in 
the vicinity, and at once made all possible prepara- 
tions for safety. The next morning at daybreak five 
liundred French and Indians appeared before the gar- 
rison. They were led by Madockawando, Egereraet, 
Moxus, Worumbee, and other sagamores, together 
with Labrocree, a French ofiicer; all being under the 
command of M. Portneuf, who had been the leader at 
the destruction of Falmouth. 

10. They learned from a prisoner captured outside 
of the fort, that it contained only thirty soldiers ; and, 
being confident of success, they apportioned among 
themselves the prisoners wliom they expected soon to 
have. Then with hideous shouts, they commenced an 
attack, which was continued all day ; but still the gar- 
rison held out. Meantime they constructed a rough 
breastwork of timber and hay, from which they fired 
upon the vessels; setting them on fire several times 
with their fire arrows. But the crews put out the 
flames with wet mops on long poles ; and their bullets 
pierced through the breastwork so often that the ene- 
my was forced to leave it. Then thej built a shot- 
proof breastwork on wheels, and rolled it towards the 
shore. One wheel sunk in the soft earth, and as a 
Frenchman applied his shoulder to Hft it out a shot 
from the vessel brought him down ; then another who 



1G92 FREXCU AND INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 105 

took his place shared the same fate, and this, too, was 
abandoned. 

11. A scout of six men had been sent out to look 
for Indians only a few hom's before they appeared. 
The next morning after the attack these approached 
the fort just at dayliglit, on tlieir return. The cor- 
poral, discovering a party of Indians elosT by, criod 
out, "Captain Converse, wheel yoin* men round the 
liill, and these few dogs are ours." The savages, 
thinking tliat Converse was at their heels, fled in great 
haste ; and the scout got safely into the fort. 

The enemy, prol)al)ly ashamed of this flight, soon 
after advanced in full force to attack the fort. One 
of tlie S(jldiers now sigliingly suggested a surrender. 

"Utter the word again," said Converse, "and you 
are a dead man. All lie close; fire not a gun until it 
will do execution." 

12. The enemy came up firmly, and, arriving 
witliin range, gave three wild shouts, then poured a 
volley upon the fort. Those in the garrison exerted 
themselves to the utmost, — even the women bringing 
animunition, and the brands to discharge their little 
cannon; and for a few moments the walls blazed with- 
fire from the muskets and cannon, causing the enemy 
to retreat in disorder with gi-eat loss. 

Falling to prevail against tlie vessels by means of 
breastworks, the French and Indians now constructed 
a raft ; and lieaping it high with combustibles, they 
set it on fire, and puslied it oft'. The tide bore the 
l)urning mass directly toward the vessels ; but these, 
having l)een lashed together for better defense, could 
not ha moved out of the way, and their destruction 
seemed inevitable. But a kind Providence, just at the 
criti(r:d moment, sent a breeze, and drove the raft 
away to the opposite shore, where it burned luu-m- 
lessly out. 

13. The enemy before the fort now sent a flag of 
truce, demanding a surrender and inquiring what 
terms were desu-ed. 



106 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1692 

"I want nothing but men to tiglit," replied Captain 
Converse. 

"Then if you, Converse, are so stout, why don't you 
come out and fight in the field like a man, and not 
stay in a garrison like a squaw ?" said one of the In- 
dians. 

"Wliat fools are you ? Think you my thirty are a 
match for your five hundred ? Come upon the plains 
with only thirty, and I'm ready for you." 

"No, no; we think English fashion — you kill me, 
me kill you — all one fool. Not so; better lie some- 
where and shoot 'em Englishmen when he no see; — 
that's the best soldier." 

14. The Indian bearing the flag threw it down and 
ran away; and the enemy began to fire again, keep- 
ing up a scattering discharge until midnight. In the 
morning they were gone. They had not killed a man 
in the garrison, and but one on board of the vessels. 
In revenge for the death of Labrocree, one of their 
leaders, they put their only captive to torture. They 
scalped him, slit his hands between the fingers, and 
his feet between the toes, cut deep gashes in his body, 
and stuck the gaping wounds full of hghted torches ; 
then they left him to die by degrees. 

15. In the spring of 1692 the king issued a new 
charter for Massachusetts and Maine, even including 
Acadia; and under it appointed Sir William Phipps 
as governor. The new ruler had a warm regard for 
his native place, and was resolved that it should be 
better defended than formerly ; therefore in the au- 
tumn of the same year he built a great stone fort at 
Pemaquid. While this was in process of construction 
the brave Church, now colonel, with one company of 
the men, ascended the Penobscot again in search of 
the natives. He came to Seven-hundred-acre Island, 
near which they dwelt in large numbers; but they 
discovered his approach and escaped in their canoes. 
Yet he captured a few of them, and secured quantities 
of corn, together with moose and beaver skins. 



1G02 FiiENCn AND INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 107 

IG. He soon after ascended the Kennebec, where 
he had a smart light not tar from Swan Ishind. Here 
a part of tlic Indians were driven into the woods, 
while others fled in their canoes up the river to their 
fort at Tecounct, in the present town of Winslow. 
Church followed them; but as soon as he was dis- 
cerned approaching, the savages set fire to their huts 
and ran away into the forests. This exploit closed 
Church's third expedition eastward. 

In the autumn M. Iberville, then newly made 
French commander in Acadia, came to Pemaquid 
with a body of French and Indians to capture the 
place ; but when he saw how strong the fort was, ho 
gave u]) the project in despair — while the savages 
stamped the ground in rage. 

17. The next spi-ing the intrepid Captain Converse 
was made major; and the garrisons of Maine and 
Sagadahock, together with three hundred and fifty 
new levies, were put under his command. He built a 
stone fort at Saco, and hunted the Indians to the 
mountains, scouting as far cast as the Penobscot. 
The Indians were also in fear of an incursion of the 
]\[ohawks, while the Frencli had been obhged to leave 
them in order to defend their own settlements; there- 
fore early in August, 1693, thirteen sagamores, repre- 
senting all the tribes from Saco to St. Croix, came to 
Pemaquid and made a treaty of peace. They agreed 
to restore all their captives without ransom, to buy 
tlicir su])])lies at the English trading houses, and gave 
U}) all claims to the possessions of the English inhabit- 
ants. But they were iunnediately dissuaded by the 
French from surrendering the prisoners and from car- 
rying the treaty into efiect in other respects. 

18. A Jesuit priest now resided in each of the four 
principal native settlements in Maine ; and these were 
ever the ready agents of the French government in 
their intrigues. Very soon the Indians were again 
engaged in open hostilities; and within a few weeks 



108 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1696 

tliej made another descent upon Coclieco, wliicJi was 
now the second time destroyed. They contmued to 
kill, capture and burn; and though strenuous eflForts 
were made to obtain a new treaty, every attempt 
proved a failure. In February, 1696, the sagamores 
Egeremet, Toxus and Abenquid, with a number of 
their followers, came into the fort at Pemaquid to pro- 
cure an exchange of prisoners; but by order of Cap- 
tain Chubb, the commander, they were treacher- 
ously attacked by the garrison, and two of the chiefs 
with several of their followers killed, and others 
thrust into confinement ; only Toxus and a few others 
of the most athletic escaping. This was in retaliation 
for an attack upon a party of his soldiers in the neigh- 
borhood the autumn before, by which four of them 
were killed and six wounded. I am sorry to say that 
even the Puritans at this period seem to have im- 
bibed somewhat of the brutahty of the savages, for the 
General Court offered a bounty of fifty pounds each 
for Indian scalps, and the same for captive squaws and 
children. Yet we must remember that there was no 
other convenient way for the soldiers to prove the 
number they had killed in order to get their bounty. 
Certainly war is a brutahzing occupation, 

19. In July, 1696, Iberville came against Pema- 
quid with three ships of war, two companies of French 
soldiers, and two hundred and fifty Indians in canoes. 
On the way he had met and beaten an Enghsh arma- 
ment in the Bay of Fundy ; and he now confidently 
demanded the surrender of the fortress. 

"I shall not give up the fort though the sea be cov- 
ered with French vessels, and the land with wild In- 
dians," replied Captain Chubb, pompously. 

This fort, you remember, was the one built by Gov- 
ernor Phipps, and was of stone, very large and strong 
for those days. It mounted fifteen heavy guns, and 
was garrisoned by ninety-five soldiers, — ^having also 
an abundance of arms, ammunition and provisions ; so 



1696 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR CONTINUED. 109 

tliat the coininiinder tliouglit he was much more tluin 
a match for the enemy. A ratthug fire of musketry- 
was ke[)t up until dark ; but during the night the 
Frcncli hinded some cannon and mortars on the otlier 
side of the little l)ay. By the next afternoon tliey had 
tliem in position, and threw several bombs into the 
fort. This was something Captain Chubb had not 
considered; and it frightened him and his garrison so 
much that he surrendered at once — only stipulating 
for a safe passage to Boston. There Chubb was tried 
by a court martial; and being found guilty of coward- 
ice, lost his commission. Two years later the Indians 
found out his residence, and killed him, in revenge 
for his treachery toward the flag of truce. 

20. A squadron of armed vessels was sent by tlie 
colonies in pursuit of Iberville's fleet, but it was too 
late; and they ca])tured only an officer and twenty 
soldiers, who liad lingered beliind in a shallop. At 
tlie last of August Colonel Church again went east- 
ward, ascending the Penol>scot as far as Oldtown, but 
without meeting any large number of Indians. Ho 
also visited the J3ay of Fundy, where he took valuable 
8]ioil ; for this region had now been recovered by the 
French. 

The next year Major March was sent eastward with 
five huTidred men to chastise the Indians. On the 
nintli of September, as his forces were landing at 
Damariscotta, the Indians rushed out from an ambush, 
and giving the war-whoop, poured a fearful volley of 
bullets upon the troops. The English instantly rallied 
and answered with a well-aimed fire, then charged 
witli bayonets; and the savages ran away, leaving their 
dead upon the field. 

2 1 . In Deceml)cr, 1097, news came that peace had 
been made between England and France by the treaty 
of Rvswick ; and this long war drew to a close. 

Peace was not definitely settled with the Indians 
until January, 1699, when a treaty was made at Mare 



110 HISTOEY OF MAINE. ^^^^ 

Point, ill Brunswick, This was the second Indian 
war, sometimes called the old French and Indian war, 
and Baron Castine's war ; also William and Mary's 
war, from having occurred during their reign. It had 
lasted above ten years, and in that time about four 
hundred and fifty English had fallen, and two hundi'ed 
and fifty been carried into captivity. 

What noted man was born in Woolwich ? For what was he 
knighted? What naval expedition did he command? In what 
year did Major Church make his famous expedition up the An- 
droscoggin ? What place was attacked soon after the time set for 
the treaty ? Describe the disastrous attack upon York. Describe 
the attack on Wells the next year. Whom did the king appoint 
governor of New England in 1692 ? What did Governor Phipps 
do for the protection of his native region? Where did Major 
Church meet the Indians at this time? Who prevented the In- 
diajis from carrying out the provisions of the treaty made at Pema- 
quid ? Did Iberville's second expedition against Pemaquid meet 
with success? What happened at Damariscotta the next year? 
What treaty operated to close this war ? How long had the war 
lasted ? How many English had fallen ? How many had been 
carried into captivity ? 



1694 WITCHCRAFT, PIRACIES AND TREATY. Ill 



CHAPTER XIII. 

1. TVliile the people of Maine were sufferin£^ from the 
attacks of the French and Indians, those of Massachu- 
setts were afflicted by the witchcraft dehision, in which 
many good, as well as some bad people were put to 
death. About the year 1G50 two or three persons in 
Massachusetts professed themselves witches, and were 
tlierefore hanged. I suppose they had some nervous 
disorder, or perhaps mesmerism and clairvoyance were 
at the l)ottom of much of this mischief. More cases 
of the kind hapjiened in 1688; but it was not until 
tlie spring of 109:i that the delusion came on, which 
spread like a contagious disease all through the towns, 
and proved such a terrible calamity. Governor Phipps 
had not meddled with the matter, though his friend, 
Rev. Cotton Mather, was among the foremost in these 
])rosccutions; Imt while tlie governor was away in 
Maine, his kind-hearted wife signed an order for the 
release of a lady who was in prison for witchcraft. 
Then Mistress Phipps also was accused of being a 
witch. This was the situation of things when the gov- 
ernor returned. It opened his eyes; and he soon put 
a stop to the terrible work. 

2. Phii)ps soon after went to England, where ho 
died in IGD-t; the Earl of Bcllamont being his suc- 
cessor. The Earl had for some time been governor 
of New York, and his adnu'nistration in New England 
also proved <piite popular. He did much service to 
our lishermen 1)y destroying or driving off the petty 
])i rates that preyed upon them. It was this governor 
M'lio commissioned tlie notorious Captain Kidd to 
cruise against pirates; l)ut wlien Kidd himself turned 
pirate the Earl was the tirst to proceed against liim. 



112 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1703 

The Earl of Bellamont was succeeded in 1703 by 
Joseph Dudley, a native of Massachusetts. Another 
war had now arisen between England and France; 
and Governor Dudley, wishing to keep the Indians 
from joining the French, invited them to meet him 
at Casco Neck. On the twentieth of June, 
1703, the day appointed for the meeting, the gov- 
ernor was on the spot with a retinue of members of 
the legislature, and a guard of soldiers; and around 
them gathered tlie delegates of five native tribes. 
The Pennacooks from New Hampshire, and the Soko- 
kis from the borders of Lake Sebago and the head 
waters of the Saco and Ossipee rivers, streamed out of 
the woods, radiant in war paint and feathers; the 
Canibas from Sagadaliock, Teconnet and Norridge- 
wock, and the Tarratines from lordly Penobscot, were 
there witli scarlet robes and shining weapons; while 
two Inmdred and fifty Androscoggins glided over the 
bay in a flotilla of sixty-five canoes. In the midst of 
tliis savage concourse a tent was spread, where tlie 
governor and his attendants and the sachems and 
sagamores made their talk. 

3. The Indians seemed desirous of delaying the 
interview; and the English, suspicious of their inten- 
tions, scattered themselves among the savages for 
greater security. When all were seated the governor 
stood up, and said to the chiefs, "I have come to you 
commissioned by the great and good queen of Eng- 
land. I would esteem you all as brothers and friends. 
Yes, it is even my wisli to reconcile every difiiculty 
that has happened since the last treaty." After a few 
minutes of silence one of the chiefs named Captain 
Simmo made this reply: — "We thank you, good 
brother, for coming so far to talk with us. It is a 
great favor. The clouds fly and darken, but we stiU 
sing with love the songs of peace. Beheve my words : 
so far as the sun is above the earth are our thoughts 
from war, or the least ruptui'e between us." 



1703 WITCHCRAFT, PIRACIES AND TREATY. 113 

4, Then the chiefs presented the governor with a 
belt of wunipum, and the governor made them several 
handsome presents in return. The company tlien 
left the tents and visited two tall heaps of stones made 
at a former treaty, to which the Indi:ins had given the 
significant name, Ttoo Brothers. Other rocks were 
now added to the heaps, while the Indians made oVer 
them the most solemn protestations of friendship. 
The day closed by a grand discharge of musketry, the 
Inilians firing first. It was now seen that their guns 
were loaded with buUets ; showing that they, too, had 
pi-e]>ared themselves against a surprise. 

Many inhabitants of jMaine, since the news of an- 
other war came, had decided to remove to safer 
regions; but, reassured by this treaty, they now con- 
cluded to remain; while some from the older colonies 
southward, attracted by the excellent forests and the 
fertile soil, began to make preparations to settle in 
the province. 

5. It afterward became known that three days 
after the treaty a body of French joined the natives, 
— whicli explained clearly why some of the Indians 
wished to delay the talk. They were too late to pre 
vent the making of the treaty, l)ut not too late for its 
breaking; and within two months of Captain Simmons 
sounding speech, the wampum pledge, and the pretty 
allegory of the "Two Brothers," these same tribes 
were in the full tide of war. Yet there had already 
been opportunity for a party of English to commit an 
outrage at Penobscot. Baron Castine had gone back 
to France, and his son known as "Castine, the young- 
er," succeeded to the Gstaldishment at Biguyduce. A 
lawless band, visiting the place under the mask of 
friendship, gained access to the premises, and robbed 
the unsuspecting half-breed of all his most valuable 
goods. 

G. Baron Castine, you remember, married the 
daughter of Madockawaudo, sachem of the Tai-ratines, 



114 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^03 

and, consequently, was liimself a sachem after the 
death of his fatl\er-in-law. Wlien the Baron returned 
to liis native country, his son succeeded to the cliieftain- 
sliip ; and at his father's death he became a baron 
of France. He was also a miUtary officer under the 
king, and had a handsome nniform; but he seldom 
wore it, preferring to appear in the simple dress of his 
tribe. He might have complained to the king of the 
outrage which had been committed npon him, and de- 
manded French troops to enable him to obtain satis- 
faction of the English; or he might have roused his 
tribe to action to avenge his injuries; but instead of 
this the magnanimous chief only expostulated vidth the 
Massachusetts rulers about the injustice of his treat- 
ment. The act was regarded by the government as 
base treachery; and the anthorities promised to pun- 
ish the oifenders and to make ample restitution. Cas- 
tine, the younger, was ever the friend of peace ; and 
though a portion of the Tarratines, urged by the 
French, engaged in hostilities against the English, they 
did so without his consent. We must here dismiss 
young Castine for the present, but he will again ap- 
pear in this history. 

What delusion occurred in New England during the second In- 
dian war ? What opened the eyes of Governor Phipps in regard 
to the delusion? Who succeeded Phipps as governor of New 
England ? What were the most noted occurrences during the ad 
ministration of the Earl of Bellamont ? What war broJve out in 
1703 ? What tribes engaged in the treaty ? Witli what ceremo- 
nies did the treaty conclude ? How soon after this did the war 
break out? What outrage was perpetrated just before ? What 
can you relate of Castine, the younger ? 



1703 QUEEN ANNE's WAK, 115 



CIIAPTEH XIY. 

In Aii2;nst, 1T03, the war with the French and In- 
dians called Queen Anne's war commenced. Six or 
seven lar£!;e parties of the enemy fell at once npon 
AVells, Ca]')e Porpoise (Kennebnnkport), Saco, Scar- 
boron«2;h, Spurwink and Purpooduck in Cape Elizabeth, 
and Casco Neck, now Portland. In this attack Wells 
lost thirty-nine killed and taken captive, while Cape 
Porj>oise was wholly destroyed. The garrison at 
AVinter Harbor was overpowered by nnrabers, but the 
fort at Saco was able successfully to resist the attack. 
At Scarborough, just as the garrison was almost ex- 
liaustcd, a reinforcement arrived ; and the savages 
witlidrew, having already suffered severely. At Spur- 
wink twenty-two of the settlers were Idlled or taken 
captive. Purpooduck had no garrison, and there was 
not a man at home when the attack was made. Only 
eight ])ersons were carried away prisoners, twenty-five 
being butchered on the spot. 

2. The first knowledge the garrison at Casco Neck 
liad that Indians were in the vicinity, was the approadi 
of a small party of them led Ijy Moxus, Wanangonet 
and Assacombuit. They held out their empty hands 
to show that they were unarmed, then sent a flag of 
truce to the fort to invite the commander to an inter- 
view ; pretending that they bore an important mes- 
sage. Cai^tain March, the commander, went out with 
two old men to meet them. At the first word uttered 
every Indian drew a hatchet from under his mantle, 
and rushed upon them, killing the two old men at 
once ; but March, being a man of gi-eat courage and 
strength, wrested a hatchet from an Indian, with 
which he parried the blows of the others. In a few 
6 



116 HISTOEY OF MAINE. 1^03 

minutes a party from tlie fort reached the spot, and 
the savages ran away, leaving Captain March unharm- 
ed. The foe seemed quite disconcerted by the faihire 
of their plot to kill or capture the commander of the 
fort; yet they still continued in the neighborhood, 
burnino; houses and butcherinor cattle. On the return 
of the other parties from their work of destruction, 
they gathered at Falmouth ; and the attack on Fort 
Loyal commenced. They had captured three small 
vessels in the harbor, and were attempting to under- 
mine the fort as before, when fortunately Captain 
Southwick arrived in an armed galley. He at once 
retook the vessels, and scattered the Indians in their 
two hundred bii-chen canoes, Hke leaves before the 
wind. 

3. The attack on the settlements so soon after the 
treaty, took them by surprise, and they sutfered accord- 
ingly, more than one hundred and fifty persons having 
been Idlled within a few days. A troop of horse was 
now stationed at Portsmouth, and another in Wells, 
ready to move at a moment's notice wherever the sav- 
ages might appear ; wliile a force of three hundred and 
sixty men marched for Pigwacket (Fryeburg) and 
another party to the Ossipee Ponds in New Hamp- 
shire, to assail the savages at their headquarters. 
Still large numbers of Indians hung about the coast, 
capturing boats and small vessels, burning houses, 
butchering cattle, and murdering and carrying away 
captives men, women and children. 

One morning a party of twenty men started out 
from the garrison at the Neck in Scarborough to col- 
lect and drive in the cattle which had been left to 
feed where they liked through the summer. It was 
supposed that the Indians had all left the vicinity, and 
the party went on in utter carelessness. Their leader, 
Richard Hunniwell, had no arms whatever except a 
pistol. Soon after they left the garrison one of his 
companions asking him why he had not taken his gun, 



I™3 QUEEN ANNE's WAR. 117 

he joooselj replied, that if a gun was needed he might 
take it from the first person killed. They little thought 
as they approached the western end of Great Pond 
that in the alder thicket beside it two hundred Indians 
were hidden ! But they were there ; and as the un- 
suspecting settlers passed by, the Indians took 
deliberate aim, and nineteen of the party fell before 
that fatal discharge. One alone escaped to the gar 
rison to tell the dreadful story. 

4. The men who came to bury the bodies found 
tliat of Ilunniwell horribly mangled. The savages 
had in this way glutted their vengeance on the man 
they so mucli hated and feared ; for he had killed a 
great number of their people. Ilis wife and child liad 
some years before been murdered by them, kindhng in 
Ills mind such enduring hatred that he would Idll an 
Indian wherever he met him, in war or peace. On 
one occasion he entei-ed a house where two of them 
were M^arming at the fire. He could not keep quiet, 
but continued to pace the floor ; for his murdered 
wife and babe seemed before his eyes. Two guns 
stood in a corner of the room ; and he took up one 
of them, and putting it to liis shoulder, moved it 
from side to side, as if taking aim at birds on the wing. 
Presently tlie Indians' heads came in range, and he 
fired and killed tliem both. 

Soon after the slaughter in Scarborough, the sav- 
ages attaclced Berwick, Init were repulsed with con- 
siderable loss. Late in the season. Captain Marcli 
with three hundred men penetrated the wilderness to 
the Indian stronghold at Pigwaeket, where he made 
the first captures of this war, killing six of the enemy 
and taking prisoners six more. During the winter 
several private parties in Western Maine went out on 
snow shoes after Indians, but very few were taken. 
The Sokokis had gone far up into New Ilampsliire ; 
from whence in February they fell upon Deerficld and 
other of the outermost settlements in Massachusetts. 



118 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1704 

5. The following spring tlie farmers dared not go 
into their fields to plant, and the only cultivated places 
were the lands immediately around the garrisons. As 
Berwick was an important point, ninety-five Pequods 
and Mohegans from Connecticut were placed there for 
its protection. The Maine Indians were at first some- 
what frightened by these, but they soon became as 
bold as ever. 

In May some French privateers appeared upon the 
coast; and the government again sent Colonel Church 
eastward with a force of five hundred and fifty men in 
fourteen transports, having also thirty-six whaleboats 
and a scout shallop. Ascending the Penobscot, he 
captured several French and Indians, among whom 
was the wife of Castine, the younger, with her chil- 
di'en. He next visited Passamaquoddy Bay, where 
he captured Gourdon andSharkee, two French officers 
who had married Indian wives ; and who were at 
this time engaged in raising a party of savages to go 
against the settlements. 

From here Church proceeded with his flotilla to the 
Bay of Fundy, where he destroyed several villages of 
the French. Port Poyal was found too strong to be 
assailed successfully ; so he returned without attacking 
it, having taken an hundred prisoners and much spoil, 
and lost only six men. 

6. The Indians committed few depredations on the 
settlements during the remainder of the season ; for 
Church's expedition had driven them away from the 
coast to their winter fastnesses at the head of the 
rivers. In the midst of the winter a force of two hun- 
dred and seventy men under Capt. Hilton was sent 
against Norridgewock. The snow was four feet deep, 
and the troops were obliged to travel almost the whole 
distance on snow shoes. But the Indians discovered 
their approach, and when the force arrived they found 
the village deserted. So they turned back again; and 
after enduring many hardships, reached their starting 



1707 QUEEN ANNE's WAR. 119 

point without loss ; yet having accomplished notliing 
except the l)nrning of the Indian village. 

Through the summer and autumn of the next year 
[1705] the French privateers still haunted our coast, 
taking many of our vessels ; while the Indians were 
continually in ambush about the settlement, where 
they were too successful in kiUing and capturing the 
poor, distressed iiduibitauts. 

Thus the war continued for two years more ; tlie 
savages lurking about, killing and capturing a few un- 
wary persons, and keeping the settlers from working 
tlieir farms. 

7. In January of 1707 Colonel Hilton marched to- 
ward Casco in search of a body of Indians who had been 
seen about the settlement. Striking a trail, they soon 
came upon four warriors, and a squaw with her 
pappoose. The squaw in her fright told where 
eighteen other Indians lay asleep ; and Hilton with 
his men, coming upon them suddenly, killed or cap- 
tured every one. 

In the summer another expedition consisting of 
one thousand men under Colonel March was sent 
against Acadia in the expectation of subduing it to the 
English. He was unsuccessfid, and Maine soon had 
to suffer in consequence ; for the triumph of the French 
encouraged the Indians to renewed depredations. 
Yet they met with no very brilhant success. The 
most noted engagement of the year was at Winter 
Harbor, where one hundred and fifty Indians in tifty 
canoes, attacked two sail boats in which were eight men 
bi'hmging in the garrison and settlement. After a tight 
of tln-cc hours tlie Ln(Hans succeeded in capturing one 
boat, and killing one man; but they lost nine of "their 
own men and had several others wounded. 

In the two following years very little damage was 
done by the IniUans, except in hindering the cultiva- 
tion of the land, lumbering and other industrial opera- 
tions. Steps were taken on both sides to bring about 



120 mSTOEY OF MAINE. 1710 

a peace, yet no treaty was made ; for the Indians 
paid little attention to treaty obligations, if inclined to 
war. 

8. In tlie spring of 1710, a fleet with a regiment of 
mariners arrived from England to aid in the conquest 
of Acadia. To these were joined regiments of 
troops from New England, the whole force being un- 
der the command of General Nicholson. The pro- 
vince was unable to withstand such an armament as this; 
and, after one day's bombardment. Port Royal sur- 
rendered, and Subercase, the French governor, yield 
ed up his province. By this easy victory the whole of 
Acadia fell into the hands of the English, ever after to 
remain in their possession as New Scotland ; being 
divided, many years later, into the provinces of New 
Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Major Livingston, a 
brave young officer, was at once sent to Canada to in- 
form the governor of that country of the English pos- 
session of Acadia, and that the inhabitants were ac- 
counted prisoners of war, and would be treated as such 
unless the French ceased to incite the savages to hos- 
tilities against the English. Livingston journeyed by 
the way of the Penobscot, and thence by land through 
the unbroken wilderness to the St. Lawrence. With 
him went that friend of peace, Castine, the younger, 
to guard him against savage rage, and to procure guides 
and supplies. 

Yet neither this event, nor the desire of some of 
their chiefs for peace, prevented large numbers of the 
Indians from continuing their treacherous warfare. 
Therefore on his way home from the conquest of Aca- 
dia, Colonel Walton with one hundred and seventy 
men scoured the coast in search of savages. At Sa- 
gadahock he captured a sagamore and his family and 
some of his tribe. Soon after, another message came 
from the Indians, desiring peace ; yet parties of them 
still continued to maraud. The next year twenty-six 
persons were killed in Maine, by attacking sohtary 



1712 QUEEN ANNE's WAR. 121 

families, or waylajnng venturesome travelers. Tlieir 
last hostile act in this war was in the autumn of 1712, 
at AYells. 

9. Oil that day a joyous company were gath- 
ered at the home of Captain Wlieelwi'ight, to witness 
the wedding of his daugliter with young Plaisted of 
Portsmouth. The ceremony was over, guests made 
their gratulations, and were preparing to depart, when 
it was found tliat two of the horses were missing. Sev- 
eral persons started in scarcli of them, but, going near 
the place where the Indians were in andmsh, two of 
them were shot down and others made prisoners. 
The report of the guns informed the neighborliood of 
the presence of Indians ; and a dozen men started 
across lots from the garrison to intercept the enemy, 
while Captains Lane, Robinson and Ilurd, with the 
bridegroom and several others, vaulted upon the re- 
mainiug steeds and galloped eagerly to the rescue. 
In a few minutes these, also, fell into an ambush. 
Captain Robinson was killed outright, and the others 
were unhorsed ; but every one of them, except the 
now unhappy bridegroom succeeded in escaping. In 
the mansion where a few moments before, peace and 
happiness had reigned su])reiue, were now consterna- 
tion and rage, tlie wailing of widowed women, and the 
anguish of the lovely bride. After a few days, how- 
ever, the bridegroom regained his liberty ; but it cost 
his father three luuidred pounds, as a ransom. 

10. In 1713, peace was made between England and 
France, by the celebrated treaty of Utrecht ; and now 
no longer incited and aided by the French, the Indians 
sought peace in earnest. Accordingly on the eleventh 
of July, the governor, with twenty councilors and 
niauy other gentlemen, met the delegates of the hos- 
tile tribes at Portsmouth in Xew Ilampshire. The 
Indians acknowledged tlieir offence, and begged for the 
]>ardon and favor of the Enghsh. Then a written 
treaty was made, by which the Indians agreed to yield 



122 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^^^^ 

to the Englisli settlers all tlie lands occupied by tliem, 
and to observe the regulations which had been made 
by former treaties in regard, to trading, hunting and 
fishing. Each sagamore signed the document by 
making the figure of the quadruped, bkd or fish, which 
was the totem of his family. 

When the ceremonies were over, some of the au- 
thorities went to Casco Bay, where they found Moxus, 
a Penobscot sagamore, with a large body of Lidians 
waiting to learn about the treaty. It was read aloud 
to them by the English, and explained by the interpre- 
ters ; and when tlie reachng was finished the Indians 
Iiuzzaed in approval. Then the Englisli authorities 
distributed to them the usual presents. The next day 
Moxus came to the English desiring more ; saying that 
the young Indians had stolen the presents away. This 
was very strange ; for the Indians, especially the 
younger men, always treat their sagamores with the 
greatest respect. Yet Moxus did not sign the treaty, 
though he pretended to be chief sagamore of the tribes 
from Penobscot to St. Croix ; but the Englisli knew 
liini to be a very subtle Indian, and did not believe his 
statements at all. 

Upon what places did the Indiaus make a simultaneous attack? 
What treacherous attempt did they make at Fort Loyal ? What 
afterward happened at Scarborough ? Who were the next 
year stationed for the defense of Berwick? Where was Colonel 
Church sent the nextytar? Where was Capt. Hilton sent the 
next winter ? What was done by the French and Indians in the 
two years following ? What was the result of Colonel March's 
expedition against Acadia? Wl:o commanded the expedition 
against Acadia in 1710 ? How long thereafter did the country 
remain in possession of the English ? 



i'i7 lovewell's WxVR commences. 123 



CnAPTER XV. 

1. As soon as Queen Anne's war was over there 
was a rusli of settlers to Maine ; and mills began to be 
buih and villages to spring up all along the coast from 
Piscataqua to Penobscot. This was very pleasing to 
the English ; but the Lidians watched with jealousy 
the damming up of the rivers and the destruction of 
the wood^, l)y which their hunting and tishing grounds 
were contiiuially narrowed. The French Jesuits, wlio 
resided among the natives, were ever watchful for the 
interests of France, and used every occasion to em- 
bitter the minds of Indians against the English. Tlie 
natives did not understand the nature of the writings 
called "deeds," believing that their forefathers, in giv- 
ing them, had intended only to convey the use of 
the lands during theii* own lifetime ; therefore the 
Jesuits easily persuaded them that every new fort, 
jnill, or dwelling was an intrusion upon theii- rights. 

2. An English society for the education of the 
heathen had before attempted to give the Indians 
some rehgious instruction; and the General Court of 
Massachusetts now voted to pay seven liundred and 
lifty dollars annually for missions to the Indians, with 
board and lodging for the missionaries. So there 
were at various times missionaries on the Androscog- 
gin river at Brunswick, at Fort Halifax on the Ken- 
nel)ec, at St. Georges and Penobscot ; while provision 
was also made for a school master to reside at Bruns- 
MJck, and lifty dollars were voted for books and re- 
wards for the young Indians wJio might become his 
]>upils. It was thouglit best as a matter of duty to 
remove, if possible, the false teaching of tlie Jesuits; 
uud it was also beheved that tliis would be the best 



124 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1718 

method of pacifying the Indians. According to 
Bomazeen, a sachem of Norridgewock, the priest of 
that place had instructed the Indians that "the Yirgin 
Mary was a French lady, and that her son, Jesus 
Christ, was murdered by the Enghsh, but had since 
risen and gone to Heaven; and that all who would 
gain his favor must avenge his blood." Perhaps the 
wily chief spoke falsely, but the English beheved him. 

3. This provision for missionaries was made in 
1717; and the next year Governor Shute with his 
council met the natives at Arrowsic. The governor 
presented the sagamores with an English Bible, and 
another translated into the Indian tongue, telling them 
that they contained the true rehgion. 

"All people love their own ministers," said the chief 
speaker, in reply. " Your bibles we do not care to 
keep. God has given us teaching, and if we go from 
that we offend God." 

It was found that they could not be moved from 
their devotion to the Jesuits; and the remainder of 
the discussions was on the land rights of the Enghsh 
and Indians. A part of the Indian talk made on this 
occasion was nearly as follows: — 

4. "Indians and white men have one Great Father. 
He has given every tribe of us a goodly river, which 
yields us fine salmon and other fish. The borders of 
our rivers are wide and pleasant. Here, from ancient 
time, our people have hunted the ])ear, the moose and 
the beaver. It is our own country, where our fathers 
died, where ourselves and our children were born; — 
we cannot leave it. The Indian has riglits and loves 
good as well as the Englishman; — yes, we have a 
sense, too, of what is kind and great. When you first 
came over tlic waters of the morning we took you into 
our arms. We thought you children of the sun, and 
we fed you with our best meat. Never went a white 
nan cold and starving from the cal)in of an Indian. 
Do we not speak truth? But you have retm'ued us 



i7i« lovewell's war commences. 125 

evil for good. Yon put the burning cup to our lips; 
it tilled our veins with poison; it wasted the pride of 
our strength. Ay, and when the drunken fit was on 
us, you took advantage — ^}^ou made gains of us. You 
made our beaver cheap, then you paid us in watered 
rum and trifles. We shed your blood ; we avenged 
your affronts. Then you promised us equal trade and 
good commodities. Have Christian Englishmen lived 
u}) to their engagements ? 

They asked leave of our fathers to live in the land 
as brothers. It was freely granted. The earth is for 
the life and the range of man. We are told that our 
country, spreading far away from the sea, is passing 
away to you forever, — perhaps for nothing, because of 
tlie names and seals of our sagamores. Such deeds 
be far from them. They never turned their children 
from their homes to suffer. Their hearts were too 
full of love and kindness, — their souls were too great. 
Whither shall we go ? There is no land so much our 
own, — none can be half so dear to us. Why should 
we flee before our destroyers ? We fear them not. 
Sooner, far, \vill we sing the war song, and again 
light up our council fires. So shall the great spirits 
of our sires own their sons." 

5. Yet the old men and many others were opposed 
to war at this time ; for they feared to be driven away 
from their cornfields and their pleasant villages, to 
undergo the sutierings of a wandering life. So they 
promised to inquire into the injuries committed by 
their brethren, and presented the English with a lot 
of beaver skins, as a pledge of their fidelity. They 
also placed four young Indians in their hands to be 
held as hostages for the good behavior of the tribes; 
and those were taken to Boston and educated. 

Tln-ee years later ninety canoes of Indians came 
early in the month of August to Sagadahock. They 
bore the French flag, and were well armed and clad. 
Tliere were also several Frenchmen with them, amontr 



126 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^721 

whom were Castine, the younger, and the Jesuit, 
Ealle. The leaders of this company visited Arrowsic 
and dehvered to Captain Penhallow, in the name of 
the tribes, a message warning the settlers on that 
river that if they did not remove in three weeks the 
Indians would come and destroy their cattle, burn 
their houses and kill them all; "for," said they, "you 
have taken away the lands which the Great God has 
given to our fathers and us." 

6. This, no doubt, meant war; and immediate 
measures were taken for defence. The Indians did 
not immediately come to put their threat into execu- 
tion, but, as usual, watched for a favorable moment. 
In December a force was sent under Colonel West- 
brook to Norridgewock, to capture Ralle, who was the 
chief instigator of the savages against the Enghsh. 
They reached the place undiscovered, for the braves 
were mostly away on their winter hunt ; but before 
the soldiers could surround the village, Ralle had es- 
caped to the woods. No blood was shed or captive 
taken by this exi^edition; but the troops brought 
away a dictionary of the Abnaki language, written by 
the Jesuit, the result of many years of study. 

7. Castine, the younger, having been in the com- 
pany which made the threats against the Sagadahock 
settlements, was soon after seized and carried to Bos- 
ton, where he was kept a prisoner several months; 
but as no evidence could be found against his peaceful 
character, he was set at hberty in the spring. The 
government at this time sent presents and peace- 
ful messages to the tribes, in the hope of softening 
their feelings toward the Enghsh, in order to avert, if 
possible, the threatened destruction of the settlements. 

All means proved useless; for in June, 1722, the 
savages fell upon the settlement on the northern shore 
of Merrymeeting Bay, kilhng or carrying away 
iuto ca«3tivity nine entu-e families. They soon after 
attempted to siiri^rise the fort at St. George's River 



1722 LOVEWELl's WAR COMMENCES. 127 

l)ut only Buccccck'd in l)urning a sloop and taking a 
few prisoners. In July another attack was made on 
the same fort, nnder the lead of a Romish priest. 
This time they undermined a portion of the walls; 
but a rain caused the ])anks of the trench to fall in 
upon them ; and, having lost twenty of their number, 
while the garrison lost only five, they gave up the siege 
and retired. The savages were now on the war path 
in all directions; and vessels were captured, houses 
burned, and settlers murdered or carried into captivity 
from every quarter. 

8. Al)()ut the middle of July, 1722, Fort George, 
in Brunswick, was attacked, and the village burned. 
The news reached the mouth of the Kennebec within 
a few hours, and Captain Harmon with thirty-four 
men immechately started up the river in pursuit of the 
])erpetrat()rs. Late in tlio niglit they discovered fires 
on the western shore of Merry meeting Bay, in what 
is now the town of Topsham. They happened to land 
at the very spot where eleven (ianocs were drawn 
ashore. They ran directly to one of the fires, and, 
blinded by the light, actually stum])le(l over the sleep- 
ing savages. They had l)een torturing a ]>risoncr, and 
had kept up their dancing and carousing until a late 
hour, aiul were now in a drunken, stupid sloe]); and 
the whole number were killed on tlie spot without the 
loss of a man to the Englisli. Another party, lying 
at a little distance from tlio first, were aroused by the 
tumult; but after firing a few guns, tliey fied into the 
woods and escaped. 



9. In Se|)tember four or five hundred 



warriors 



chiefly St. Francis Indians from Canada, and Mic- 
macs from Nova Scotia, made a sudden descent upon 
Arrowsic. The garrison was prepared for them, 
and in a few days drove them from the island ; l)ut in 
the meantime they had killed fifty head of cattle and 
burned twenty-six houses. 

In August, 1723, sixty-three Mohawks, including 



128 HISTORY OF MAINE.. 1723 

many principal men, came to Boston in response to 
numerons invitations from the anthorities, to make a 
treaty against the eastern Indians. They were re- 
ceived by tlie Lientenant Governor, wlio presented 
them with a belt of wampnm ; and they, in retnrn, 
gave him pieces of plate curiously engraved with the 
figures of a turtle, bear, wolf, hatchet and other fig- 
ures — totems of their several tribes. The authorities 
also gave the Indians a fat ox, which they killed with 
then* arrows ; and then they held a feast, which closed 
with songs and dances. 

10. The tribes could not be induced to take up the 
hatchet, but gave their young men hberty to enter the 
service of the English; yet only two accepted the 
offer. These were sent to Fort Kichmond, on the 
Kennebec. A few days after their arrival they were 
sent out on a scout in company with a small party of 
English. They had gone scarcely three miles when 
the two Mohawks said they smelt fire, and refused to 
go further without a reinforcement. A messenger 
went back to the fort and brought thirteen more men ; 
and, again advancing, they came upon thirty of the 
enemy. In the brief conflict that ensued, two of these 
were killed; while the remainder retreated to their 
canoes in such haste as to leave their packs on the 
ground. The English lost their leader. Sergeant 
Colby, killed, and two others, wounded. But the Mo- 
hawks had already become sick of the service, and 
soon after this af'Tair returned to Boston. 

11. In September, 1723, Colonel Westbrook was 
sent eastward with two Imnch-ed and thirty men in 
search of the enemy. He ascended the Penobscot 
river in boats to the vicinity of Marsh Bay, where he 
landed, and continued up the river through the 
woods. After four or five days they came upon a 
large fort not far from the present site of the city of 
Bangor. They entered it without resistance, finding 
it abandoned, and every article of value removed. 



1"23 LOVEWELL's war COMMENCES. 129 

The fort was found to be seventy yards in length by 
fifty in breadtli ; the walls, which were fourteen feet 
high, consisting of stockades, or strong wooden stakes 
driven into the ground. Inside the walls were twenty- 
three good wigwams, the dwelling of the priest, and a 
chapel twenty by sixty feet in size, and liandsoniely 
furnished. Committing these to the flaiuoG, tliey re- 
turned down the river, and searched other parts of the 
coast with no better success. 

12. The next year the Lidians killed and carried 
into captivity from twenty to tliirty persons ; four men 
and three children being captm-ed at one time while 
engaged in piclcing berries in the town of Scar])or- 
ough. There were skirmishes at Casco Neck, and on 
the Kennebec; and the Indians made another fruitless 
attack on the fort at St. George's River. 

In the winter a third expedition was sent to Nor- 
ridgcwock under Captain Moulton to capture Ralle. 
Again he escaped them ; but they secured his books 
antl papers, and retired without doing any further 
injury. Among these papers were letters from the 
governor of Canada directing the Jesuit "to push on 
tiie Indians with aU imaginable zeal against tho 
English." 

13. The fort on St. George's River, being tho 
most advanced post of the settlers received the par 
ticular hatred of the savages, and the attacks it suifer- 
cd during tlie war were botli frequent and severe. It 
was on a beautiful May morning in 1724 tliat Captain 
Josiah Winslow, the young commander, set out from 
the fort with sixteen men in two wdiale boats, — pro- 
ceeding dc^wn the river, and thence to the Green Isl- 
ands in Penobscot Bay. It was the season for fowl- 
ing, and they expected to find Indians somewhere on 
tlie route, snaring or shooting sea-fowl. None were 
discovered, however; and the party returned tlie next 
day to St. Georges'. But the -wary savages had seen 
then- hunters, and now lay in ambush along the bank 



130 HISTOEY OF MAINE. ^'^^^ 

of the river. Captain Winslow's boat was near the 
middle of the river, and some chstance in advance, the 
other having hngered, against the request of Winslow, 
to look for ducks along the shore. Suddenly the In- 
dians opened fire upon the imprudent crew, but it was 
briskly returned. Captain Winslow, seeing that the 
crew was outnumbered and in great danger, turned 
back to their assistance. 

14. Thirty canoes containing ninety savages im- 
mediately shot out from the shore, and with a terrible 
whoop fell upon the devoted crews. The Enghsh 
saw that there was no hope of escape, and every man 
determined to sell his life dearly. In a brief time 
nearly all were dead or mortally wounded. Wins- 
low's boat had floated ashoj-e, and he sprang upon the 
bank, though his thigh was shattered by a ball. An 
Indian met him, and for a few moments they fought 
hand to hand ; but Winslow beat off his foe. By this 
time the savages were pressing upon him from all 
sides ; but the brave young soldier killed another, sup- 
porting himself on one knee, before they could dis- 
patch him. 

Did the natives fully understand how their lauds had become 
the property of the English ? What threat did a party of sav- 
ages make at Arrowsic ? What did the government do the next 
spring? How many families did the Indians take captive on 
Merrymeeting Bay? At what date was Brunswick burned? 
Where did Capt. Harmon find the Indians? What tribes made an 
attack on Arrowsic in September ? What did Col. Westbrook find 
near the present site of Bangor ? What was accomplished by the 
thh-d expedition to Norridgewock ? Uive an account of the fight 
on St. George's River. 



1'2* DESTRUCTION OF NORRIDGEWOCK. 131 



CHAPTER XVI. 

1. In the summer of 1724 another and final expe- 
dition was sent against Norridgewock. It was led by 
Captains Moulton, Harmon, Bourne and Bane; and 
consisted of two hundred and eight men. This force 
left the fort at Richmond on the nineteenth day of 
August, ascending the river in seventeen whale boats. 
The next day they arrived at Teconet, where they left 
their boats with a guard of forty men. The remain- 
der of the journey must have been made on the east- 
ern bank of the river, and they consequently passed 
the site of the village of Skowliegan in the forenoon 
of the twenty-second day of the month. At a little 
past noon they discerned the smoke of the Inchan set- 
tlement. Captain Harmon with sixty men made a detour 
towards the cornfields opposite and above the mouth of 
Sandy River, while Cajitain Moulton with tlie residue 
of tlie troops went directly towards the village. They 
moved in the utmost stillness, noting the wigwams, the 
cliapcl, the dwelling of the priest, the trees marked by 
hatchets, the broad stones tossed by the Indians in 
their sports; but there was not a human being in 
sight. They were witlun pistol shot of the cabins, 
when an Indian looked out and saw them. Instantly 
he gave the Avar whoop, and sixty warriors sprang out 
to meet the English. 

2. The first volley of the savages did not harm a 
man, but the guns of the Englisli made fearful havoc. 
The Indians stayed only to fire a second volley, then 
rusbo<l to the river. Some jumped into the canoes, in 
wliic;li they tried to escape, using their guns for pad- 
dles, M-hile others attempted to ford or swim across. 
Still from two wigwams shots conthiued to be fired 



132 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1724 

upon tlie soldiers. One of the two Moliawks witlitlie 
expedition fell, and his brother rushed forward and 
broke in the door whence the shot came. Witliin was 
an old sagamore named Mogg, who, scorning to fly, 
devoted the remnant of his strength to destroy the 
foes of his race. In the other wigwam was Ralle, the 
Jesuit; and he also fell fighting at his post, being 
shot through the head by Lieutenant Jaques. 

3. Thus died the zealous and intrepid missionary 
of the Abnakis. He was in the sixty-seventh year of 
liis age, and had hved at this village nearly tliirty-five 
years. In this solitary place liis hours, he writes, 
were crowded with employment. Mass was held 
every morning, and following this the children and 
others were instructed in the catechism. His own 
household labors occupied a large portion of the re- 
maining hours until evening ; when the dusky congre- 
gation again gathered for vespers. The scene is well 
described by Whittier in these hues: — 

"Well might the traveler stop to see 
The tall, dark forms that take their way 
From the birch canoe on the river shore, 
And the forest paths, to that chapel door ; 
And marvel to mark the naked knees 
And the dusky foreheads bending there, 
While in coarse white vesture, over these 
In blessing or in prayer, 
Stretching abroad his thin, pale hands. 
Like a shrouded ghost the Jesuit stands." 

4. To him came the Indians, old and young, to 
make their complaints, to tell of their joys and sor- 
rows, or to receive liis advice — which they always 
heeded; for they loved him as a father. Their affec- 
tion for him is shown by this incident, narrated by him- 
self: — Once v/heu encamped with a party of the 
tribe at a long distance from the village, there came 
tidings that the English were near; and all iramedi- 



2* DESTRUCTION OF NORRIDGEWOCK. 133 

ately starto I for lio-.ns. A. few hours later another 
iTidlan came to warn the party. Finding the camp 
deserted, he conehided that the Enghsh had captured 
them; antl he, also, started for the village, leaving on 
the way information of the supposed calamity for those 
who niiglit come after. He did this by fastening to a 
stake a piece of white birch bark, on which he had 
drawn with charcoal a rude picture of some English- 
men surrounding a priest, one of whom was in the act 
of cutting off Ids liead — hats signifying that the wear- 
ers were English, and the long robe indicating the 
priest. Shortly after, a party of Indians passing up 
the river, saw the bark on the top of the stake. 

"There is a writing," said one ; "let us see what it is." 

5. As soon as they looked at it they cried out, "Ah ! 
the English have killed them who were quartered with 
our father, and cut off his head." Immediately they 
began to pluck out their long hair; and, sitting down 
on the spot, remained motionless and silent until 
morning. This was their customary form of mourning 
wlien suffering the severest affliction. Tlie next day 
tlioy resumed their journey. Wlien within half a 
league of the village they halted, and sent forward one 
of their number to see if any English were in the 
neighborhood 

"I was reading my breviary l)y the riv^er side," says 
Ralle, "when the messenger appeared upon the oppo- 
site bank. As soon as he saw me he cried out: 'Ah! 
my father, liow glad I am to see you. My heart was 
dead, and now tliat I see you, it revives. The writing 
told us that the English had cut off your head. How 
rejoiced I am that it told us false.' " 

AVhen the Indians urged him to retire to Quebec 
till the war was over, he replied, "What do you think 
of rac ? Do you take me for a cowardly deserter ? 
Alas, what would l)ecome of your religion, should I 



134 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^''24 

6. Notwithstanding all his piety, he could coolly 
deceive them to secnre their devotion to his religion. 
My young friends will remember what the old chief 
said the priest taught them about the Virgin Mary 
being a French woman, and about oiu* Saviour being 
put to death by the English. On another occasion 
Ralle pretended to have received a letter from an In- 
dian who was dead, in which he wrote that he was 
biu'ning in the most horrible fire; and he showed 
them a letter written in the Indian tongue. The cor- 
ner where the signature should have been was torn 
off; for if the name of a deceased relative of any 
member of the tribe had been given, there would have 
been trouble between the priest and that family. 

In regard to this remarkable cliaracter, Mr. Sparks 
says, "So far as the patient toils of the missionary and 
love for the darkened soul of the Indian are concern- 
ed, we may place the names of EKot and Ralle in a 
fellowship, which, indeed, both would have rejected, 
but which we may regard as hallowed and true ; for 
they both l)elonged to the goodly company of those 
who have given their hves to the beautiful labors of 
pious benevolence. 

7. "Whoever has visited the pleasant town of Nor- 
ridgewock, as it now is, must liave heard of "Indian 
Old Point," as the people call the place where Halle's 
village stood ; and perhaps curiosity has carried him 
hither. If so, he has found a lovely, sequestered spot 
in the depth of nature's stillness, on a point around 
w^hich the waters of the Kennebec sweep in their 
beautiful course, as if to the music of the rapids above ; 
a spot over which the sad memories of the past, with- 
out its passions, will throw a charm ; and where, he 
will believe, the ceaseless worship of nature might 
blend itself with the aspirations of christian devotion. 

He will find that vestiges of the old settlement are 
not wanting, in the form of hatchets, glass beads, and 
broken utensils, tm-ned up by the plough, and pre- 



1724 



DESTRUCTIOX OF NORRIDGEWOCK. 



135 



served l)y the people of the neighbor] lood ; and lie 
will turn away from the place feeling how hateful is 
the mad spirit of war in connection with natm-e's 
sweet retirements." 




MONUMENT OF RALLE, NORRIDOEWOCK. 



8. But I must return to my narrative,tliough feel- 
ing as if I should ask pardon of my gentle readers, for 
bringing them again to the horrors of the l)loody bat- 
tle tield. Captain Harmon and his party, who had 
gone in the direction of the cornfields, did not join the 
other troops until near evening, when the figliting 
was quite over. Tliat night the English slept in the 
wigwams of the Norridgewocks. In the morning, 
after the troops had left tlie village, the vengeful Mo- 
hawk turned back; and soon chapel and wigwam 
were wrapped in flame. 

On the tweuty-scventh of the month the companies 



136 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^724 

arrived at Richmond on tlieir retm'n; tlie Moliawk 
shot by Mogg being the only man lost. Thirty 
Indians had been left dead on the field, among 
whom were five sagamores — all noted warriors ; and 
it was beheved that more than fifty were killed or 
drowned in the river. The Canibas tribe never lifted 
its head after this blow, and was no more counted 
among the red man's nations. The remnant lingered 
a while about their old dwelhng places on the banks 
of their pleasant river ; but not many years later most 
of them removed to the St. Francis, whither their 
kindi-ed tribe, the fated Wawennocks, had gone before 
them. 

luwhat year was the final expedition against Norridgewock? 
Who led the attack upon the village? How long had Ralle been 
with this tribe ? What incident shows their regard for him ? 
What deceptions did he use with the Indians ? Who set the vil- 
lage on fire ? What became of the remnant of this tribe ? 



CHAPTER XYII. 

1. In the autumn following the fall of Norridge- 
wock Colonel Westbrook with three hundred men 
scoured the country to the eastward of the Kennebec, 
and Captain Heath soon after ascended the Penob- 
scot; but neither met with the Indians or destroyed 
any of their settlements. 

In December, and again in February, Captain Love- 
well made successful excursions into the region north 
and east of Winnipesaukee Lake; and in April, 1725, 



1725 LOVEWELl's FIGHT. 137 

he set out on tlio exj^odition which tenniiiiited in the 
famous "Loveweirs Fight." 

It was on the sixteenth of April that Captain Love- 
well with fortj-six volunteers set out from Dunstable, 
Massacliusetts, to hunt for Indians about the head- 
waters of the Saco River, which was the home of the 
Sokokis. The chief pilot was an Indian named Toby; 
but he was obliged to return on account of lameness. 
After marching about one hundi-ed miles another of 
the party became disabled l)y reason of an old wound ; 
and his kinsman was sent with him back to the settle- 
ment. By the time the force reached Ossipee Pond, 
in New Hampshire, another man fell seriously ill ; and 
the whole company stopped there and built a small 
stockade fort. Here they left the sick man, with the 
surgeon and eight of the most weary ones ; so that 
there now remained only thirty-four men, including 
the captain, to continue the march. About twenty- 
two miles to the northeast lay the body of water now 
kno^vn as Lovewell's Pond, in Fryeburg; and thither 
this brave little band took its way. 

2. On the night of the seventh of May they en- 
camped by a brook tliat runs into the pond near the 
northwest corner; while only two miles northward, on 
the bank of the Saco, was Pigwacket, the principal 
village of the Sokokis. The next morning while they 
were at prayers the report of a gun was heard. Pass- 
ing another small ])rook, they came upon a level plain 
at the north of the pond, and discovered an Indian 
standing on a point that ran into the pond on the 
east. It was now believed that the savages had dis- 
covered them, and that this lone Indian was a decoy 
to draw them into an ambush. Captain Lovewell 
inquired of his little company wht^ther it was pru- 
dent to venture an engagement with the enemy in his 
own country, or to make a speedy retreat. One of 
them answered boldly and lirnily, "We came out to 
meet the enemy; we have all along prayed God we 



138 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^^25 

might meet them; and we had rather trust Providence 
with our hves, — ^yea, die for om- comitry, than try to 
return witliout seeing them, if we may, — and be called 
cowards for our pains." To this the rest willingly 
and fully assented. 

Therefore, leaving their packs among the brakes in 
the midst of the plain, they went cautiously forward, 
crossing on their way another stream, since known as 
"Battle Brook." In a short time they met the Indian 
returning toward the village. Several fired upon him, 
and he instantly fired in return, wounding Captain 
Lovewell and one of the men; but Ensign Wyman 
fired and killed him. In the meantime a i^arty of sav- 
ages led by Paugus and Wahwa, going, or returning 
between the village and the pond, had come upon the 
packs which were left on the plain; and, counting 
them, they found themselves three times as strong as 
the English. 

3. It was now about ten o'clock ; and Lovewell's 
party turned back in the way they came. They 
passed over the brook and were crossing the plain to 
resume their packs, when the savages rose in front 
and rear, and rushed toward them with guns present- 
ed, and yelling like demons. Lovewell and his men 
with determined shouts ran to meet them. In the 
volley that followed many Indians fell, and they were 
driven back several rods. They turned again with 
fierce cries ; and three more rounds were fired at close 
quarters, some of the combatants being not more than 
twice the length of their guns apart. Captain Love- 
well was mortally wounded; but, leaning against a 
tree, he continued to fight; and he was seen with a 
gun in his hands ready to fire, when he was too far 
gone to speak. Others did the same. 

4. Eight were now dead besides the captain, and 
several others badly wounded; and the enemy at- 
tempted to surround those who remained. Ensign 
Wyman, who had taken command, ordered them to 



1725 lovewell's fight. 139 

fall back to the pond ; which was done in good order. 
On tlieir right was Battle Brook, on the left, a rocky 
point; in front, on one side a belt of tall pines afforded 
a partial shelter, while on the other thej were farther 
protected by a deep bog. Here for eight terrible 
hours the savages beset them on front and flank. 
They howled lilce wolves, they barked like dogs, they 
roared and yelled like demons in tlieir rage ; yet the 
intrepid little band was not dismayed, but encouraged 
each otlier with cheers, and answered the savages with 
shouts of defiance. 

5. The chaplain of this brave company was Johna- 
than Frye, a youth not yet twenty-one, but already 
greatly beloved for his piety and excellence. He had 
fought bravely with the rest until the middle of tlic 
afternoon, when he received a mortal wound. Unable 
to fight longer, he betook himself to prayer for his 
comrades; — and God, we know, has sometimes made 
prayers more effectual than arms. At one time in 
the afternoon the savages withdrew to a little distance, 
and seemed to be "powwowing"; and Ensign Wyman 
crept up and fired into the group, killing one who 
seemed to be a leader. Afterward some of the In- 
dians came toward the English and held up ropes, 
shouting, ""Will you have quarter ?" 

"Yes, — at the muzzle of our gims," replied the he- 
roic men. They preferred to die by bullets rather 
than by torture, or in a cruel captivity; but, chiefly, 
they were determined to stand by each other to the 
last. 

6. The fight was long, and some of their guns be- 
came foul with so much firing; and John Chamber- 
lain went down to the water to wash his piece. Just 
then an Indian came down for the same purpose, not 
more than a gunshot off. In hate and fear they 
watched each other's motions as the cleansing was 
performed. They finished together, and commenced 
to load. 



140 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1725 

"Quick me kill you now," exclaimed the Indian. 

"May be not," answered Chamberlain, thumping 
the breech of his gun heavily on the ground. His old 
flintlock primed itself, and a moment later his bullet 
crashed through the brain of the huge savage, whose 
bullet whistled harmlessly up in the air. Many histo- 
ries state that this Indian was Paugus, a chief greatly 
dreaded by the English. There is, however, a ballad 
written at the period, which says : — 

"And yet our valiant Englishmen 

In fight were ne'er dismayed, 
But still they kept their motion, 

And Wyman captain made, — 
Who shot the old chief, Paugus, 

Which did the foe defeat ; 
Then set his men in order. 

And brought off the retreat." 

7. There was no way of escape from the spot aa 
long as the foe hung about them; and they were en- 
tirely without food since the morning — the Indians 
having secured their packs; yet never a word of sur- 
render escaped their lips. Just before dark the sav- 
ages retired from the field, taking with them their own 
wounded, but leaving the dead bodies of Lovewell's 
men unscalped. The EngHsh remained on the ground 
until about midnight, when it was thought best to at- 
tempt a retreat. Ten of their number were already 
dead, fourteen wounded, one missing, and only nine 
uninjiu-ed. Solomon Kies, exhausted by fatigue and 
loss of blood from three wounds, had crawled slowly 
and painfully to the edge of the pond, with the inten- 
tion of throwing himself into the water at some spot 
where the savages would not find and mangle his life- 
less body. Providentially he spied a birch canoe near 
by, which he managed to enter; and, lying there 
almost unconscious, he was slowly drifted by the wind 
to the western side of the pond. After a while he 



1725 LOVETVELL's FIGHT. 141 

recovered his strength a little, so that he finally reach- 
ed the fort at Ossipee Pond. 

8. Painful as it was, two of the mortally wounded 
had to be left. When the moon rose the others start- 
ed on the retreat ; but, after traveling a mile and a 
half, four more sank to the ground unable to support 
themselves longer. These were Lieutenant Farwell, 
Chaplain Frye, and privates Davis and Jones; and, 
at their request, their companions went on without 
them. After resting awhile they felt stronger, and 
went on again a little distance, then rested again ; ana 
thus continued for several days. But they grew 
weaker and weaker; and, first, Frye was left, then 
Farwell sank to rise no more, — Davis alone reaching- 
the fort. Jones followed down the Saco river, arriv- 
ing after many days at Biddeford, emaciated almost 
to a skeleton by hunger, pain and loss of blood. 

9. Ossipee Pond was scarcely more than twenty 
miles from the scene of the battle, but so weary were 
the men and so indirect their route, that it was four 
days before the first arrived at the fort. They found 
it deserted. A man of the company had run away at 
the beginning of the fight ; and, coming to the fort, 
he told the men of the fall of Captain Lovewell and 
others, and of the great number of the Indians. The 
little garrison had no doubt that every one remaining 
had been killed or captured, and supposed that the 
savages would next fiill upon the fort ; so they at once 
abandoned it, and started for the settlements. 

It was Wcchicsday when the remnant of Lovewell's 
brave l)and reached tlie fort. They were in a half- 
starved condition, having had nothing to eat since the 
morning of tlie preceding Saturday, except a few 
"roots and the bark of trees. Here they found some 
bread and pork left by the deserters; so they were 
saved from starvation. After a short rest they started 
for liome, where tliey were received with great joy — 
almost as persons restored from the dead. Colonel 



142 



HISTOET OF MAINE. 



1725 



Tyng with eighty-seven men at once started for the 
scene of the fight. He found the bodies of the twelve 
wlio had been killed, and buried them at the foot of a 
great pine, carving their names upon the trees about 
the battle ground. 




Wk 



'^ 




VIEW OF LOVEWELL 8 BATTLE-GROUND. 



10. The Indians were struck with such dread by 
this fight, that they immediately retii-ed into some un- 
known wilderness, and were found no more in their 
old haunts until the war was over. It is supposed 
that about fifty warriors fell in this conflict, among 
whom was their principal leader, Paugus. 

The next month Captain Heath, probably desirous 
of emulating the heroes of Norridgewock and Pig- 
wacket, set out again for the Penobscot. Since the 
burning of their village by Colonel Westbrook, the 
Indians on this river had built another a few miles 



^^^ lovewell's fight. 143 

above the Kenduskeag, at a place now called "Fort 
Hill," which is within the present limits of Bangor. 
It had between forty and fifty wigwams, together 
^vith several cottages with chimneys and cellars, and a 
Catholic chapel. Tlie Indians were on the alert; and 
again their invaders fonnd only deserted dwellings. 
These they set on fire, and departed. 

11. The tribes were now disposed to make peace; 
but so many things happened to disturb the negotia 
tions, that the conditions were not settled until the 
fifteenth of December, 1725. Only four sagamores 
then signed the treaty ; and it was not until the next 
sunnner that the conference was held for its ratifica- 
tion. By tliis treaty, trading houses were to be kept 
on the principal rivers for the convenience of tlie In- 
dians; wliile tlie settlers were confirmed in their lands, 
and all the English captives were to be released with- 
out ransom. This war is known as "Lovewell's War," 
or the "Three Years War" ; and the number killed 
and carried into captivity during its progress, includ- 
ing settlers, soldiers and seamen, was about two hun- 
dred. 

12. On the thirtieth of July, 1720, about forty 
sagamores, with the Penobscot sachem, Wenemovet, 
at their head, appeared at Casco Neck; where Gov- 
ernor Dunnner, with a large number of councillors 
and representatives, and a fine train of young gentle- 
men, had already been waiting nearly a fortnight. 
These chiefs represented the Tarratines, Canil)as and 
ATidroscoggins, and brouglit a letter and two belts of 
wampum from the St. Francis Indians, in Canada, — 
indicating their wish to join in the treaty. The con- 
ference lasted a full week ; and every paragraph of 
the treaty was read to them and repeated distinctly 
by their interpreters; after which it was explained 
and discussed. It was ratified in the meeting house, 
(a very good place to make a treaty of peace) and 
bigued by Governor Duiumer and othera on the part 



144 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1727 

of tlie English, and by Wenemovet and twenty -five of 
the sagamores; and then the business ended with a 
pubhc dinner. 

18. This affair was long celebrated as "Dum- 
mer's Treaty"; and the peace that followed was the 
most lasting of any since the Indian wars commenced; 
for it was better understood by them than any of the 
former treaties, while they had just had the impor- 
tance of keeping their agreements impressed upon 
them by a severe chastisement. 

When did the famous battle known as "Loveweirs Fight" take 
place? Where did Lovewell build a fort? Where is the pond 
beside which the fight occurred ? When the leader inquired of his 
men whether they would fight, or retreat, what reply did they 
make? What happened when they returned to resume their 
packs ? After the fall of Capt. Lovewell who took command ? 
How long did the savages keep up the attack ? What remarkable 
personal encounter took place in this fight ? Who were left at 
night in possession of the field ? What had been the loss of the 
Indians? What became of the remainder? What celebrated 
treaty closed this war ? 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

1. The inhabitants of Maine had suffered frequent 
and long distress by the savage wars, yet they clung 
to their freeholds as a most precious heritage. This 
freehold right to the land upon which they lived, no 
rents to pay, no feudal service to render to some lord 
proprietor, — this w^as something few or none of them 
liad enjoyed in England. From this cause, doubtless, 



1"-^ CUSTOMS OF THE ENGLISH SETTLERS. 145 

arose in a large degree that love of country, which was 
60 flistinguislied a vii-tue of our forefathers. 

The liardrihips of those early days no pen can prop- 
erly relate. The paths of the settlers were ambushed, 
they were sliot down in tlie fields, they woke in the 
silent hours of night to find their buildings in flames, 
and the hatchets of the savages breaking down the 
doors of their dwellings; none could tell when or where 
the prowhng foe would strike. Consequently many 
famihes spent weeks together in the garrison, daring to 
culti\ ate onl}' the nearest fields. But with the return 
of peace the farms soon teemed with plenty, while 
the ringing saws beside the dashing cataracts tm-ued 
the dense woods into marketable lumber. 

2. Soon after the close of Lovewell's war the Gen- 
eral Court laid out a tier of back towns, and divided 
them into lots, with which to reward the soldiers, and 
supply farms for immigrants. The old settlements 
were greatly pleased at this ; for they had stood for 
nearly a century in single file between the ocean and 
the forest ; and in case of anotlier war these new 
towns would be a bulwark against their old enemies. 

Many settlers came from Massachusetts and New 
Hampshire, but foreign emigrants came slowly ; for 
the authorities acted with severity toward these, and 
would not kno^\dngly admit any person of bad morals 
or shiftless habits. There was a law at this time that 
the stranger, or tlie captain who brouglit him, should 
secure the country for five years against being charg- 
al)le for his support ; yet if he could prove himself 
skilled as a mechanic, mariner or farmer, and was of 
unblemished character he was admitted without any 
bond ; because such as these make valuable citizens 
for any country. 

3. You will rocollect tliat in Gorges' charter the 
best trees were reserved for the king's navy — and 
just so they were in all the charters and grants. 
There was a great extent of forest in Maine, and a 



146 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^729 

great lengtli of sea-coast ; and many owners of saw- 
mills and vessels chose rather to cut up the trees 
which the king claimed than those to which they had 
an undoubted right. The king soon found this out; 
and in 1699, when the Earl of Bellamont was made 
governor of New England, John Bridges was sent 
over as surveyor or keeper of the king's woods. lie 
went through the forests bordering on the coast and 
rivers, seekiug out the tall pines suitable for masts, 
and the noble oaks, good for plank and to make strong 
knees to strengthen the vessel, — marking them with 
the royal "R." But the owners of territory consider- 
ed themselves wronged by this grasping claim on all 
their best trees; and the crafty lumbermen hewed off 
the stamp and sent the fine logs rolling down to their 
mills. So the surveyors watched the mills, where 
they often came into conflict with the millmen, and 
sometimes got very roughly handled by these sturdy 
sons of the forest — who laid their fists upon the intru- 
sive surveyor and his aids with as hearty good will as 
they had lain their axes against the king's trees. 

4:. In 1729 Colonel David Dunbar was appointed 
surveyor of the royal woods. The king, Greorge II., 
also granted him tlie territory between the Kennebec 
and Penobscot rivers, under the name of the Province 
of Sagadahock ; but reserved to himself 300,000 acres 
of the best pine and oak. In return, Dunbar was to 
settle the province witli good, industrious Protestants. 
l^ow the king had no right to make a grant of this 
territory; for, by the charter of William and Mary, it 
belonged to Massachusetts, which had expended much 
money for its protection against the French and In- 
dians. But Duubar took possession, garrisoning the 
fort at Pemaquid with British soldiers from Nova Sco- 
tia. He laid out several towns and brought in his 
settlers, to whom he conveyed the land by perpetual 
lease, the rent being only a peppercorn, annually. He 
found a great many persons already occupying liis 



'^29 CUSTOMS OF THE ENGLISH SETTLERS. 147 

province, who denied liis claim, holding then- posses- 
Bions under the original patents. Some of these 
would not yield to his demands; and he sent an armed 
force, who burnt their houses and drove them from 
their lands, even threatening them with imprisonment 
for insisting on their rights. After tlu-ee years, how- 
ever, the province was taken from him and restored 
to the rightful owners. It was not Dunbar's fault 
that he had no genuine right to the province, but the 
king's, who commissioned him. Yet he did the coun- 
try much service by the numerous and excellent set- 
tlers wliom he brought in; and, on the whole, nobody 
suffered nmch wrong. His settlers were mostly the 
Scotch-Irish, from the north of L-eland, and Presby- 
terian in religion. Some of this people had nearly a 
century before settled about Saco, while others still 
made their homes at Brunswick and Topsham on the 
Androscoggin, and at Bath and other places on the 
Kennebec. Soon after the restoration of the province 
of Sagadahock to tlie patentees, Samuel Waldo 
brought from Germany many families of the religious 
sect called Lutherans, and founded the town of Waldo- 
boro, in the present county of Lincoln. 

5. Governor Belcher of Massachusetts had been ono 
of the most earnest opposers of Dunbar's cLiim to tho 
province of Sagadaho(;Jv, and when the latter became 
lieut.-governor of New Hampshire he made a great 
effort to liave Belcher removed. By making the jeal- 
ous king believe that the governor was favoring the 
colonies at the expense of the royal interest, he at last 
succeeded. So Governor Belcher lost a good office. 
But he got a better one afterward ; for the king soon 
learned that lie was really a faithful and upright officer. 

Among the friends of the good governor was the 
celebrated George Whitetield, who came to the coun- 
try during the last years of his rule. Wliitefield, you 
know, was an evangelist; and in liis day he was reck- 
oned the "prince of preachers." Young Ben. Frank 



148 HISTOEY OF MAINE. 1741 

Un one day went to liear him, fully determined to con- 
tribute nothing to the charity for which the "wonder- 
ful preacher" pleaded. Ben was an exceedingly cool 
young man; but as the sermon went on he put his 
hand in his pocket, and thought he would give his 
copper coin ; pretty soon he concluded that he would 
give the silver; but when the plate came round he 
pulled out his purse and said, "Take it all." White- 
field first preached in Maine in 1741 ; and again in 
1745 he visited York, Wells, Biddeford, Scarborough, 
Falmouth and North Yarmouth, — stirring up the re- 
ligious feeling of the people. I suspect there was 
great need of it, though Maine had been blessed by 
many faithful ministers. 

6. The Rev. Samuel Moody was the most noted 
clergyman of this day in Maine, having been minister 
over the first parish in York above forty years. When 
settled there he refused any stipulated salary, pre- 
ferring to live on voluntary contributions. His par- 
ish, therefore, faithfully provided for him, and he 
knew nothing of what he was to receive until it was 
placed in his hands. With all his eccentricity, he was 
a man of ardent piety and great usefulness. 

Puritan preaching was usually grave and severe; 
but theirs was a period of violent men and stern ne- 
cessities, and they felt that the laws of God must be 
declared without fear or favor. Though the Clii'istian 
graces were not so well displayed by them as should 
have been, yet the fruits of their ministry were seen 
in the virtuous hves of their hearers, and of the gen- 
erations which came after. 

7. For many years it was the law in Massachusetts 
and the province of Maine that none except members 
of the Puritan church should be voters; and while 
this union between Church and State continued, all 
other sects within their borders sufifered persecution. 
But after many years people of all shades of belief 
were admitted to full citizenship; then the stern Puri- 



I'^l CUSTOMS OF THE EXGLISII SETTLERS. 149 

tan became the milder Congrcgationalist, and perse- 
cutions ceased. In Episcopal chnrclies the form of 
worship was very nearly the same as it is to-day, ex- 
cept that the English "Book of Common Prayer" was 
used instead of the American, — which was not prepar- 
ed until our country became an independent nation. 
The method of worship in Congregational churches 
was also the same in its general plan as now, though 
on account of the old customs there was a striking 
difference in several particulars. The churches were 
roughly built, like the houses. Many were not plas- 
tered, and until long after the Revolution few were 
warmed, even in the coldest winter weather ; for the 
strict "professors" of the day thought it wrong to have 
a fire in the house of God. So they sat and suffered, 
until it became the practice to use hot bricks and 
stones for the hands and feet. The next thing was 
foot-stoves, which were filled with wood coals, and 
must have made the people feel quite drowsy from 
the oppressive and unwholesome air which resulted. 
The services were very long; the sermon usually oc- 
cupied above an liom* and often two, and the prayers 
fully half as much. So in the cold weather the min- 
ister was often obliged to beat the sacred desk most 
unmercifully to restore warmth to his purple and be- 
numbed fingers. 

8. Puritan ministers always wore black gowns 
and flowing wigs in the pulpit; and one would hardly 
be surprised that their sermons were dignified and 
severe rather than sympathetic and winning. It is 
not strange that under these circumstances the little 
boys were often inclined to play, and even the heads 
of families sometimes nodded ! Of course this con- 
duct could not be tolerated; and all through the ser- 
mon and prayers the deacon or tythingnian kept 
watch, or walked softly about, rapping the heads of 
the naughty ])oys with the knob on the end of his long 
stick, 01- tapping the heads of the men when they 



150 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^41 

snored ; but when the women forgot to keep their 
eyes open, he only tickled their faces with tlie feathers 
on the other end of his staff. 

9. Books were scarce and expensive in those days; 
and, when the hymn was not famihar, the minister 
read off two lines, which were sung by the congrega- 
tion; then other two lines were read, and snng — and 
so on through the hymn. After a while printed tunes 
came into use ; and then the chorister had to be more 
particular about pitching the tunes, — so they had for 
this purpose httle wooden whistles, which they called 
pitch pipes. 

The Puritans reckoned the Sabbath to begin at sun- 
set on Saturday, and to close at sunset on Sunday 
night. Within these hours no labor was allowed, ex- 
cept what was needful for the health of the body. 
All recreation or traveling for business or pleasm'e 
was strictly forbidden; and people who staid away 
from meeting were by law subject to a fine. In good 
Puritan families on this day the children and servants 
recited the orthodox catechism; for this, also, was 
required by the law. 

10. From the year 1638, when Harvard College 
was established, every town of fifty householders was 
ordered to hire a teacher the year round ; and a town 
of one hundred householders had its school where 
children were taught their a, b, c; and where, also, 
boys could be fitted for college. Probably none of 
our well trained boys and girls ever heard in school 
liours such buzzing as they had in these ancient schools 
all the time. The country in those times seemed so 
large that most families talked loud, having no fear 
that they would be overheard by any neighbors ex- 
cept the bears and wolves; wliile the children had no 
idea that they could study without pronouncing the 
words at least in whispers ; so, I suppose, when they 
buzzed the liveliest the teacher looked for the best 
lessons. Often two or three would be seen studying 



1741 CUSTOMS OF THE ENGLISH SETTLERS. 1-51 

from tlic same volume, as one book of a kind fre- 
quently answered for a whole family; for classes were 
very few, but large. There were other sounds in the 
room besides the smothered tones of the student; the 
sound of the birch that made the jacket smoke, the 
"spat" of the broad ruler, — which was sometimes 
pierced with holes, for the Idndly purpose of raising 
bhsters; while over all arose the sob of the sensitive, 
the whine of the base, or the groan of the plucky. 
But there were busy lingers as well as lips ; and the 
rustle of sheets and pillow cases, and the "whip" of 
the stout, swift thread on the the back seats answered 
to the click of the knitting needles, where the stock- 
ings and suspenders grow in the hands of both boys 
and girls. Often in cold weatlier the cut and split of 
the firewood fell short; then the big boys had to take 
their turns in making the fresh chips fly from the 
great, green logs piled up beside the door. 

11. In the long winter evenings there were the 
spelling school and the singing school, where pleasure 
was joined with instruction ; and the husking and the 
api:)le bee, where pleasure went hand in hand with 
profit. And when the parties separated, the favorites 
walked home together in the calm moonlight; and 
often then, as now, a pair would linger on the door- 
step for a few tender whisperings, and the soft chirrup 
of a good night greeting. But the law was very 
watchful to prevent unsuitable matches; and if an 
ardent youth or an older and more designing man at- 
tempted to win the aft'octions of a girl under eighteen 
unbeknown to her parents or guardians, he thereby 
became subject to a fine. Yet most of the young peo- 
ple either fell in love or grew to love each other, got 
married and lived happily. Land was clieap and lum- 
ber abundant in those days; and any healtli}' and in- 
dustrious young couple could soon make themselvea 
a comfortable home, — as, indeed, they can at the pre- 
sent day. 



152 niSTOEY OF MAINE. 1741 

12. Tlie first Louses were Imilt of logs; notches 
being cut on the opposite sides at each end, so that 
they would lock at the corners and he close along the 
sides. But after the Indian wars were over, wherever 
the sawmills provided lumber, frame houses were 
built, which were covered with great broad boards; 
being made water tight on roof and wall by shingles 
split out of the great blocks with mallet and frow, — 
and old men say that never since have shingles lasted 
as those did. 

In passing through our State even at this day we 
shall see that many houses, mostly very old, set at 
every angle with the roads ; yet we might be sure that 
most of them faced the south. This happened because 
the houses were often built before the roads were 
made; but the south was always there. So the sun 
gave the chief rooms a cheerful asjject at all hours, 
while at noon it shone squarely through the little win- 
dows, telhng the busy housewite what was the time of 
day. 

13. Then there was the great fireplace, of brick or 
stone, four — aye, often six feet wide at the back ; deep 
and high enough, too, for the children to sit in the 
corners and see the stars glimmering through the 
huge throat of the chimney. Within the fire-place 
also hung joints of pork, slowly turning to bacon 
in the smoke; while from the bare beams overhead 
were suspended strings of pared and quartered apples, 
and the curving strips of pumpkin, — wdiich through 
the long winter and spring, turned to dehghtful pies, 
or made more savory the great loaves of "rye and In- 
dian" bread. 

On hooks near the chimney hung the guns, the big 
powder horn, and, perhaps, a spontoon, or a halberd. 
Possibly a coarse engraving or two of bible scenes, or 
more frequently, King Charles' "Twelve Good Eules," 
hung upon the plain wall of wood or plaster. Oppo- 
site the fii-eplace, and always reflecting its hght, was 



^"'^l CUSTOMS OF THE ENGLISH SETTLERS. 153 

tlie "dresser," on wliicli stood the table ware of bright 
pewter, crockery, or smoothly turned wood. About 
the room were long benches and movable stools, a 
broad stout table and, possibly, a few chairs. 

14. There was the little treadwheel with its distaff 
and spindle, for flax spiimiug, — and near by was the 
larger wheel for wool and cotton ; while farther away, 
or in another room, stood the great, square wooden 
frame of the hand loom, where the family clothes were 
woven. Here, during the long summer afternoon, 
the industrious mother or buxom daugliter sat flinging 
the swift shuttle from side to side of the stout web, 
and her buskined foot upon the treadle reversed at 
every moment the mazy warp, while the swinging 
beam beat close the imprisoned thread of the woof. 
Cloth of wool for blankets, cloaks and coats, sheets of 
linen and cotton, strong and serviceable, — each came in 
its turn from this true and original "manufactory." 

At first all the shoes were brought from England; 
then the skins of moose and deer, and, later, those of 
their own domestic animals, were used by the shoe- 
makers; while soft-dressed deer skins were frequently 
worn for coats and leggins. In summer, farmers and 
mechanics had their tow cloth suits for every day 
wear, — for winter, their woolens, and for Sunday, 
their "fidl-cloth" and linen, — generally the product of 
the industry and skill of theii* own wives and daugh- 
ters. 

15. The villages of Maine were as yet too small 
and scattered for much display, and the dress and 
ceremony of fashion were rarely seen except in one or 
two to^vns, until after the revolution. The people of 
this period loved better a cordial and comfortable sort 
of life ; and when the thrifty housewife went out to 
visit a neighbor, it was often witli distaft' of flax in 
baud and the diminutive spinning wheel on her arm. 
And sometimes all the ladies of a parish would visit 
their minister's house, and hold there a spinning bee 



154 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^41 

as a benefit to their worthy host and his excellent 
wife. 

The good ladies attended each other's afternoon tea 
parties, bringing each her own cup and saucer of china, 
— if she was so fortunate as to have one; for these 
were generally heir-looms, — part of a set which the 
mother or grandmother had brought over from her 
English home, and divided and subdivided among 
daughters and granddaughters. It was often with 
other household stuff as with china ; in many a plainly 
furnished house might be seen a carved chair, a fine 
table or buffet, seeming quite out of place amid the 
rough furniture made on the spot. 

Tlie early settlers of our State were usually of good 
parentage, many of them being impoverished branches 
of noble families — here becoming sons and daughters 
of the soil ; whose names, by and by, should emerge 
again to fame by the noble deeds of their children. 

What right had the settlers in Maine which few of them had 
possessed in England ? What regulations were made by the 
General Court in regard to immigrants? What can you tell of the 
king's woods ? To whom did the king give the temtory between 
the Kennebec and Penobscot in 1729 ? Who held a previous right 
to that tract ? What people did Dunbar bring in as settlers ? 
What celebrated preacher visited Maine in 1741 and 174;")? What 
was in general the character of Puritan preaching ? What was at 
first the Puritan law in regard to voters? What were the laws iu 
regard to the observance of the Sabbath ? What were some of the 
customs of those days ? 



1744 KING George's war. 155 



CHAPTER XIX. 

1. In tlio spring of 1744 France joined Spain in tlie 
war which she was carrying on against England. As 
soon as the French subjects in America heard of this, 
they began to plot against the Englisli colonies. 
Nova Scotia was now in the possession of the Enghsh, 
and here the French and Indians made their first at- 
tacks. Yet Cape Breton Island was still held by the 
French; and Louisburg, the chief town, naturally a 
strong position, had been so strongly fortified that it 
was called the Dunkirk and the Gibraltar of America. 
The possession of this place would be of great advan- 
tage to the English; and in the spring of 1745 an ex- 
pedition was sent against it. As the principal leaders 
of this enterprise were citizens of Maine, I shall give 
a particular description of the siege. 

2. The armament consisted of four thousand men, 
and thirteen vessels, with transports and store ships, 
carrying in all about two hundred guns. The com- 
mander in chief was WilHam Pepperell, of Kittery; 
who had for several years been colonel of the York- 
shii'c militia. He was a gentleman of unldemished 
reputation, by occupation a merchant; but he liad a 
taste for martial atfairs, and was familiar with Indian 
warfare. The second in command was Samuel Wal- 
do, of Falmouth, wlio was commissioned Brigadier 
General. Others were Lieutenant Colonel Jeremiah 
Moulton, noted for his success in the destruction of 
Norridgewock; and Lieut. Colonel William Yauglm, 
of Damariscotta, the originator of the enterprise. The 
commander of the fleet was Captain Edward Tyng, of 
Falmouth, who had distinguished himself the year 
before by capturing a French privateer, much larger 
than his own vessel. Mr. Wliitefield, the great 



156 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1746 

preacher, was consulted bj General Pepperell in re- 
gard to the expedition, and gave as a motto for the 
flag the words, Nil des2)€,randuin^ Christo cluce. 

3. The movement had been kept so secret that the 
force arrived within sight of Louisbm-g before the 
French were really certain that they were to be at- 
tacked at all. Off Louisburg the fleet captured a 
French brigantine laden with supphes for the garrison. 
Commodore Warren with four British war ships soon 
after joined the colonial flotilla, and during the siege 
six other ships of war arrived ; so that in all the fleet 
mounted some four hundred and ninety guns. The 
first movement against the city was made by Lieut. 
Colonel Vaughn. Lanchng four hundred and fifty 
men in the woods, he marched in the night to the 
northeast side of the harbor, where he set on fire some 
buildings containing naval stores and a great quantity 
of wine and brandy. The grand battery of the French 
was about three fourths of a mile from these, and such 
volumes of smoke were carried into it by the wind, 
that the gunners became terrified; and, spiking their 
cannon, fled to the city. In the morning Vaughn 
took possession; and, drilling out the spilced vents, 
turned the guns — great 42 pounders — upon iha city. 
Then more troops were landed and other batteries 
constructed, one after the other, — each new one nearer 
than the last. Yet to do this the guns and ammuni- 
tion had to be dragged over a morass where oxen 
could not pass, the men going up to their knees in the 
mud; and all the work was done on foggy days, or in 
the night time, when the enemy could not see to fire 
upon them. 

4. A summons of surrender was sent to Ducliam- 
bon, the governor ; but being refused, the work was 
still pressed on until a battery was erected within two 
hundred and fifty yards of the west gate. Tlie next 
day after this was completed, a French ship hove in 
sight, and was decoyed into the midst of danger ; 



^'■^5 KING George's war. 157 

where, after a few shots, she surrendered to Captain 
Tyng. Sh'^ proved to be the Yi(/ilafit, a sixty-foiir 
gun ship, Liden with military stores, and bringing five 
hundred and sixty men. A few days hiter a flag of 
truce was sent ashore with a letter requesting the 
enemy to give his English prisoners better treatment. 
The messengers were accompanied by the captain of 
the Vigilant, who informed the authorities how 
kindly the French pi-isoners on board the vessels were 
treated. His appearance was the first knowledge the 
French had of the capture of hig vessel with its troops 
and stores, on which they greatly rehed; and they 
were in great dismay. Their works were already 
badly damaged by the fire of the batteries, even the 
magazine and the central battery being greatly injur- 
ed, while the western gate was broken down. 

5. The fourteenth of June was the anniversary of 
the king's ascent to the throne ; and at twelve o'clock 
the English fired a grand salute, the guns of the fleet 
and batteries being discharged together. The French 
perceived that everytlung was now ready for the bom- 
bardment and assault, and the governor sent a flag of 
truce ofl'ering to surrender. A capitulation was 
agreed upon, by whicli the French troops were sent 
home to France, under parole not to flght against the 
English for twelve months. On the 17th of June the 
Englisli troops marched into the city. They were 
filled with surprise at the strength of the fortiflcations; 
the wall on the side next the shore being al)Ove thirty 
feet high, with a dit(;h in front eighty feet in width; 
while in the various batteries were nearly one hun- 
dred heavy guns and mortars. The garrison consisted 
of two thousand soldiers. The French loss in this 
siege was above three hundred killed and many more 
wounded, wliile the loss of the English was but one 
hundred and thirty. One vessel had been lost in a 
storm ; but, to oftset this, the prizes taken amounted 
to nearly a million pounds sterling. Yet it all went 



158 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1745 

to tlie British ; but the colonies, after soliciting parlia- 
ment for seven years, obtained an allowance of 
200,000 pounds. 

6. The news of this victory filled France and Eng- 
land with astonishment, and America with gladness. 
Bells were rung, bonfires blazed, and a pubfic thanks- 
giving was held throughout New England. Pep- 
pereh, the commander of the land forces, was made a 
baronet; and the Britisli commodore, Warren, who 
came to the siege unwillingly and late, was raised to 
the post of admiral; while Tyng, to whom belonged 
all the honor of the naval exploits, received the olfer 
of post-captain in the British navy ; but declining this, 
he had only his pay and the applause of his country- 
men as Ma reward. 




BIR WILLIAM PEPPERELL. 

Though the Indians east of the St. Croix were now 
in open war with the English, the Tarratines still re- 
mained peaceful. They had every reason for it. 
Since Governor Dummer's treaty the authorities had 
frequently met them for conference, feasted them, 



^7^5 Ki-NG George's war. 159 

made them presents, and liad even bestowed pensions 
on some of the chiefs. Yet for a year previous to the 
fall of Louisburg frequent acts of mischief had been 
committed by some tribes in Maine. They seemed to 
liave a fondness for breaking down fences and setting 
the cattle upon the growing corn ; while now and then 
a beast was killed or a building burned. 

7. It was supposed that the Androscoggin and 
Norridgewock Lidians were the guilty parties; and 
the Penobscot tribe was called upon to furnish war- 
riors to aid in chastising the guilty tribes — this being 
a condition of Dummer's treaty. A high premium 
was offered them for scalps, with an additional sum of 
five pounds for captives, in order to save hfe. Yet 
the constant reply of the sagamores was that their 
young men would not take up arms against their 
brethren. Dm-ing these twenty peaceful years since 
LoveweH's war a generation of young savages had 
grown up. They had heard from their sires the story 
of the white man's wrongs upon their race ; and they 
burned for vengeance, and to win honor and renown 
among the tribes for their valiant exploits. The 
Frencli supplied them with arms and ammunition; 
and neither the persuasions nor the presents of the 
English authorities could deter them from their bloody 
purpose. 

8. The first l)low fell on St. George's Fort, which 
was attacked by a Ijody of Cape Sable, St. John and 
St. Francis Indians on the 19th of July. Not making 
any impression upon it, they l>urned a mill and sev- 
eral dwelling houses, killed many cattle, and departed, 
having captured but a single prisoner. Meantime a 
party of young warriors from Penobscot and Nor- 
ridgewock nuirked Fort Frederick, at Pemaquid, 
for their prize. Coming near the fort they met a wo- 
man whom they shot in the shoulder, tlien made pris- 
oner. This was only about three Inuidred yards from 
the walls; and the sound of the gun, together witli 



160 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^45 

tlie shrieks of the wounded woman, alarmed the garri- 
son, — who immediately gave the savages a telling vol- 
ley. In the smoke and confusion the woman broke 
away from her captor and escaped to the fort. 

9. The foiled braves now set their hideous faces 
westward, appearing a few days later at North Yar- 
mouth. Their first approach was discovered by a dog; 
and, turning back, they committed other barbarities 
eastward. Again they laid an ambush at Yarmouth. 
Unconscious of then* presence, three men approached 
their hiding place ; and one was instantly killed, an- 
other was made prisoner, while the third escaped. 
The Indians now scattered themselves along the ridge 
between the two forts, and fired upon the men as they 
rushed out of the houses below to repel the attack; 
but they speedily retreated to the woods when the 
English bullets began to whistle about them. 

It was now considered more than imprudent to work 
on the farms except in large and well armed parties ; 
for people away from the garrison were hable to be 
shot down at any moment. 

10. But it was on St. George's River that the 
savages were the most numerous and watchful; for 
these settlements were the furthest advanced upon the 
territories of the tribe best able to resist such en- 
croachment. Here a whole party, consisting of sev- 
eral men, were killed and scalped only a short distance 
from the garrison ; two men going down river in a 
boat to collect rockweed were taken and carried to 
Canada; two women while milking their cows close 
to the garrison were surprised, and one of them cap- 
tured, while the other narrowly escaped to the fort. 

So many had been drawn from Maine by the 
Lom'sburg expedition that scarcely as many men as 
there were families remained for defense; and one 
hundred and seventy-five soldiers were drawn from 
Massachusetts to reinforce the garrisons. This raised 
the number in military service in Maine to about six 



1745 KING George's war. 161 

liundrcd; and scouting parties now frequently trav- 
ersed the region in the rear of the towns from Berwick 
to St. George. 

11. At length another demand was made upon the 
tribes at Penobscot and Norridgewock in a somewhat 
dirtercnt form. It was that they sliould deliver up 
the parties guilty of the recent outrages in the East, 
or hostages for them, or else furnish at least thirty 
fighting men within fourteen days — otherwise the 
treaty was to be considered broken, and war declared. 
The tribes made no response ; therefore on the 23d of 
August government declared war against all the east- 
ern tribes. The bounties oftcred for each Indian cap- 
tive or scalp taken were one hundred pounds to a 
soldier in public service, two hundred and fifty pounds 
to a person receiving provisions and not wages, and 
four hundred pounds to a volunteer having neither 
pay nor rations. Though by these inducements many 
small companies were drawn into occasional service, 
the depredations of the savages were not wholl}'- pre- 
vented. One inhabitant fell here and another there, 
all along the coast ; and, though scouting parties were 
constantly out, few Indians were taken — the most 
successful party being that of Lieutenant Proctor, who 
had a skirmish near St. George's River, in which two 
Indian chiefs, "Colonel Morris" and "Captain Sam," 
were killed, and "Colonel Job" taken prisoner. 

12. During the ^vinter a rumor that the French 
were preparing to join the Indians and fall upon some 
of the towns, caused a further addition of about four 
hundi-ed men to the garrisons from Massachusetts, 
together with four small field pieces and a s-«avel. 
But no attempt was made by the enemy ; and, though 
greatly distressed, the inhabitants had not to mourn 
other friends fallen, or property destroyed. 

What war commenced in 1744? Who at this time held Cape 
Breton ? What town upon this island was very strongly fortilicd ? 
Who were the leaders of the expedition against Louisburg ? What 



162 HISTORT OF MAINE. 1746 

motto did "Wliitefield give for tlie expedition ? Give a brief ac- 
count of the siege. To whom did the credit of these achievements 
belong ? What revpard did Pepperell receive ? Who after this 
supplied the Indians with arms and ammunition ? What fort was 
first attacked ? What Indians attacked Fort Frederick ? To what 
place did the savages next proceed? Why was war declared 
against the eastern tribes ? 



CHAPTER XX. 

1. In tlie following spring the Indians renewed 
tlieir depredations in greater force and more vengeful 
mood. In Gorham several persons were killed or cap- 
tured while at work in their fields. A Mr, Bryant and 
his son being surprised by them, the two ran different 
ways, and the father was overtaken and killed. The 
boy getting out of their sight, plunged into the brook. 
He pushed his head above water among the roots of a 
free, so as to breathe ; but he was so well hidden that 
when the Indians arrived at the spot they were unable 
to find him. They then went to Mr. Bryant's house, 
and killed four children, and took ofi^ their scalps. 
One of the savages pulled the baby from its cradle by 
the feet, and dashed its head against the fire-place be- 
fore the eyes of its mother. Then he tossed it into a 
kettle of water that was boiling on the fire, shouting 
with fiendish glee, "Hot water good for Indian dog, 
good for pappoose, too." This horrible act was in 
revenge for its mother's cruelty in throwing hot suds 
upon him more than a year before. Then the savage 
danced about her, pointing with bloody fingers at her 



174G -^-^Q George's war continued. 1G3 

husbands' scalp in tlie girdle of tlie cliief. They car- 
ried the widowed and bereaved woman away with 
them to Canada, where she was sold to the Frenchmen. 

2. In May a large body of Indians attacked Wal- 
doboroiigh, burning the dwellings, killing many of the 
inhabitants, and taking many prisoners. They kept 
np this sort of warfare until winter, almost every town 
losing inhabitants, buikhngs and cattle. The people 
were forced to remain in the garrison houses, and could 
only plant and gather their crops under a strong guard, 
and at times they dared not even milk their cows, 
though these were kept in pastures adjoining the gar- 
risons. There had been so many wars that the two 
races had now learned each other's devices ; so that 
while fewer of the settlers were killed, the savages, on 
their part, came so secretly and fled so swiftly that the 
English could not often meet or overtake them. The 
dogs of the English generally showed great antipathy 
to the Indians, growling, barking and bristling witli 
rage Avhenever any of these people were near. They 
could scent them at a long distance, too ; and often 
gave timely warning of their ap])roach. Therefore 
these animals became a great advantage to the settlers ; 
and the scouts, also, found then* keen scent of much 
use in following Indian trails. The Indians soon 
came to fear the white men's dogs, and the killing of 
them by the savages was often found a precursor of 
hostile attacks. 

3. The French were now planning to recapture 
Louisburg and Nova Scotia ; and in the autumn of 
1746 a fleet of seventy ships with upwards of three 
thousand land troops was sent for this purpose. Sev- 
eral of the largest ships were so nnich disabled by a 
storm that they had to be sent back ; and on landing 
at Chebucto, (Halifax) it was found that nearly one- 
half the troops had died of scorbutic fever, while the 
renmant were so weak that they could not endure tho 
least fati<2;ue. A force of seventeen hundi'ed men had 



164 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1747 



discouraged by its not arriving at the time agreed upon, 
all except four hundred of them had returned. The 
Duke D'Anville, commander of the expedition, was 
so overcome by these disasters that four days after the 
arrival he died of chagrin. In a council of war held 
by the officers after his death, the vice-admiral propos- 
ed to return at once to France, but Jonquiere, the gov- 
ernor of Canada, and third in command, wished to 
attack Annapolis. A majority joined with the gov- 
ernor ; and the vice admiral fell into a delirious fever, 
and threw himself upon his sword. "When oif Cape 
Sable, on the way to Annapolis, the fleet was again 
overtaken by a storm, and so scattered that the vessels 
were obliged to return to France. The Indians caught 
the fever of the French, and it raged fearfully among 
them, and great numbers of them died. Thus Provi- 
dence itself seemed to war against the designs of the 
French, utterly defeating their great fleet, and destroy- 
ing their troops without the aid of man. 

4. The next spring the garrisons in Maine were 
increased by five hundred men, but the country was 
already swarming with savages. Tliirty men under 
Captain Jordan were stationed at Topsham, but with 
this exception the inhabitants from Kennebec to Wells 
were left to their own defense. A few volunteer com- 
panies were raised at various times ; that of Captain 
Ilsley of Falmouth being among the most useful. Yet 
these received neither pay nor rations ; their only re- 
ward being the bounties for the Indians and French 
captured or killed. 

In May a second fleet sent from France to retrieve 
the misfortunes of the first, was met and defeated by 
a fleet of the British ; so that the hopes of the French 
in America were again doomed to disappointment. Yet 
the French and Indians made attacks upon the forts 
at Pemaquid and St. George's, though without success ; 
and predatory bands harassed the settlers until July, 



izr.o 5JJIQ George's war continued. 1G5 

1748, wlion the peace of Aix-la-Cliapelle closed the 
war. Early in the spring of the next year a delega- 
tion of chiefs appeared at Boston, desu'ing to make a 
treaty ; and again a treaty was made. 

5. In December, 1749, a quarrel happened between 
some Indians and Eughsh in which one of the Indians 
was Idlled. The guilty parties were placed in prison 
10 wait tlieir trial ; yet, being incited by the French 
authorities, the St. Francis tribe the next season sent 
a band of warriors into Maine to glut their still unsat- 
isfied vengence. They were joined by some young 
Canibas fighters, swelling the party to about one luin- 
dred. Their first attack was in September, 1750, 
upon Fort Ilichmond, in the present town of that name. 
The garrison consisted of only fourteen men ; but 
while the greedy savages were killing cattle and burn- 
ing houses in tlie vicinity a reinforcement reached the 
fort. As soon as the Indians learned this, they gave 
up the attempt, and departed down the river, destroy- 
ing property and kilKug or ( apturing all who came 
in their way. 

6. One party attacked Wiscasset, setting some of 
the houses on fire, and taking two prisoners. An- 
otlier party went to Parker's Island, at the mouth of 
the Kennebec. Coming to a house just within call of 
the fort they were discovered, and dared not approach 
nearer; for they feared the cannon with which the 
garrisons were now generally supplied. The owner 
of the house was at that time its only occupant, but 
he fought bravely against his savage assailants. 
AVlien at length they had cut down the door with 
their hatchets, he escaped tln-ough a window in the 
rear. Being cut off from tlie fort, he ran toward the 
river and plunged in, with the intention of swimming 
to Arrowsic Island. The Indians pursued him to tlie 
shore; and two of them, springing nimbly into a 
canoe, continued the chase. They came rapidly up 
with him, and could ahuost reach him with then- pad- 



166 HISTOEY OF MAINE. ^750 

dies ; but he suddenly turned upon them and upset 
the canoe, then resumed his course, — leaving the dis- 
comfited savages floundering in the water, 

7. Passing from the Kennebec region, the Indians 
visited Falmouth, Gorham and Windham, committing 
the usual acts of destruction, and carrying away twenty 
or thirty prisoners. On their return to Canada they 
came upon the camp of two hunters, named Snow and 
Butterfield, in what is now the town of Paris. Startled 
by a hideous yell, the two men looked up to discover 
a pack of savages close upon them. The foremost 
wore U2)on his head a hood formed of a hawkskin, tlie 
wings and tail reaching down to his shoulders and back. 
He was the chief. Snow was sitting down with his gun 
in his lap, picking its flint, at the moment he discovered 
the Indians; and he deliberately rose and aimed at the 
leader. He had been a captive once, and found the 
experience too painful to be repeated ; so he deter- 
mined to fight to the death. Tlicre was a flasli and a 
report ; and the hauglity form of the chief pitched 
forward and lay stretched upon the ground. The 
infuriated Indians instantly poured a volley upon the 
bold hunter, and he fell dead beside his companion, 
pierced through and through with bullets. 

8. So much alarm was created by this incursion, 
that one hundred and fifty men were detailed from 
the Yorkshire regiment to scour the woods between 
Saco and St. Georges', and the forts were restocked 
with ammunition, in readiness for the savages, should 
they come again. But this raid proved the last ; 
though a few revengeful individuals continued to rob, 
murder and burn, wherever they dared, until the sum- 
mer of 1751 ; when a new treaty settled all difficulties 
and confirmed the peace. 

What settlement was attacked by the lucliaus iu the spring of 
174G ? What place was attacked in May ? For what purpose did the 
French send a powerful fleet lo America in 1746 ? What happen- 



1753 THE SIXTH AND LAST INDIAN WAR. 167 

ed to this force ? "What happened to the fleet sent out by France 
the next year? What treaty closed this war ? What was done by 
a band of Indians from St. Francis River ? What happened on 
the return of this party ? What was the conduct of tlie Indians 
from this time until the treaty of 1751 ? 



CHAPTER XXI. 

1. Hardly had tlie afflicted settlers of Maine joined 
again the broken links of business, when the actions of 
the French filled them with fresh alarm. Among the 
captures of the last war were two famihes of children, 
taken in Frankfort, now Dresden. Their fathers vis- 
ited Canada in search of them, finding the children in 
Montreal, to their great delight. But now the French 
governor interfered, and would not let them go. This 
was in violation of the treaty and of Innnanity ; and 
when the aftiicted parents returned and made the facts 
known to Governor Shirley, he sent a messenger to 
Canada, who brought the children away by authority. 

Then the French began to form settlements along 
the river Chaudiere, which has its source near the 
head waters of the Kennebec; and the Indians on this 
river resorted to the French for suj)plies. In Nova 
Scotia their actions were warlike, but the first positive 
act of hostilit}' was the nnu'der of some English set- 
tlers on Lake Erie. The messenger sent to protest 
against these outrages was George Wasliington, now 
aj)peariug for the iii-.st time in national aftairs; 1)ut all 
the reply he could obtain from the French commuu- 



168 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^54 

der was that the territory was French, and that he 
had orders to expel all intruders. 

2. There were unsettled questions about bounda- 
ries, both on the east and north of Maine and in the 
valley of the Ohio River ; and these were now under 
discussion at Paris. In the meantime France was 
pushing her settlements and forts in every direction, 
with the evident intention of holding all she had and 
getting all she could. There were Louisburg, on Cape 
Breton Island, which had been restored to her by the 
last treaty, four forts in Nova Scotia — though by the 
same treaty this province had been ceded to England ; 
on the St. Lawrence were the strong cities of Mon- 
treal and Quebec — while southward were Crown 
Point on lake Charaplain ; Ticonderoga, between 
lakes C'lamplain and St. Greorge ; Fort Frontenac, 
at the outlet of Lake Ontario ; Fort Niagara, just be- 
low the great falls; and Fort Du Quesue, [du kane] 
on the site of the present city of Pittsburg, in Penn- 
sylvania. 

3. The greatest efforts were made by the authori- 
ties of Maine to keep the natives peaceful, conferences 
being held with them, and many valuable presents 
given ; so that at the last of these conferences, held in 
July, 1754, the Indians, in seeming good faith, placed 
five young savages in the hands of the English aa 
hostages for the good beliavior of the tribes. Three 
of these were Canibas, and two Tarratines ; and they 
were taken to Boston to be educated. 

Yet the authorities thought well of the old adage, 
"In time of peace prepare for war" ; so they strength- 
ened the old forts and built several new ones. The 
first, called Fort Hahfax, was situated at the junction 
of the Sebasticook River with the Kennebec, in the 
present town of Winslow. It was a quadrangular 
structure of hewn pine, one hundred feet long and 
forty feet wide. It contained two block houses, and 
was mounted with several small cannon and a swivel. 



1754 THE SIXTH AND LAST INDIAN WAR. 169 




LAST BLOCK HOUSE OF FOKT HALIFAX. 

4. The proprietors of the Plymouth Patent had 
biiilt a fort a year before at Cushnoc, (Augusta) on 
tlie eastern side of the river, whieli they named Fort 
Western. It was constructed in nearly the same man- 
ner as Fort Halifax, but was nut quite so large, and 
had only four guns. This year the same proprietors 
built another within the present town of Dresden, 
about a mile above the northerly end of Swan Island. 
This they named Fort Shirley, in honor of the gov- 
ernor. It was formed of stockades, and enclosed a 
parade ground two hundred feet square, together with 
two block houses. Another small fort was built at the 
second falls of the Androscoggin, in the present town 
of Lisbon. 

On the sixth of N'ovember, ITSi, before the fortifi- 
cations were entii'ely finished, the Indians attacked a 
detachment of the garrison at Fort Halifax, as they 



170 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1766 

were hauling wood. The governor immediately sent 
them a reinforcemcDt of one hundred men with five 
cohorn mortars, wliile six companies of minute men 
were ordered to be in readiness to march at the short- 
est notice; but no further attack was made at this 
time. 

5. Early in the year 1755 occurred the famous de- 
feat of General Braddock by the French and Indians, 
when Colonel George Washington behaved so gal- 
lantly. The war soon raged from the eastern to the 
western settlements, on land and water; and two 
thousand men were raised, chiefly in Massachusetts 
and Maine, to drive the intruding French from Nova 
Scotia. Forty-one small vessels conveyed them to 
Chignecto Bay, at the northeastern extremity of the 
Bay of Fundy, where Colonel Monkton, a British offi- 
cer, joined them with a few pieces of artillery and 
about three hundred men. Monkton took the chief 
command, but the New Englanders did the fighting. 

A strong fortification on the Missiquash River, well 
garrisoned with French troops, was attacked by them 
with such spirit that tlie French fled to Beau-sejour, a 
fort farther up the river. This fort mounted tv/enty- 
six guns, and was supphcd with plenty of ammunition 
and soldiers ; but after a siege of four days it was sur- 
rendered. The troops soon appeared before the re- 
maining forts, all of which surrendered in turn. It 
was an easy victory; and the total loss of the English 
in the campaign was only twenty men. 

6. Much the larger portion of the inhabitants of 
this province hved about the bays of Minas and Chig- 
necto, where were several populous villages. But the 
people were of French parentage, and would not take 
the oath of allegiance, — and from this cause they were 
generally spoken of as the French Neutrals. They 
were a peaceful people when left alone; yet, longing 
to be under the government of their own nation, they 
were always ready to rise in rebelKou at the l)idding 



1755 THE SIXTH AND LAST INDIAN WAR. 171 

of French authority. This rendered tliein an exceed- 
ingly dangerous community to the EngHsh ; therefore 
it was now decided by the British authorities of the 
province, that they must be removed. So the Acadi- 
ans were forced to leave forever their pleasant homes, 
with their houses and lands, their flocks and herds, — 
and were scattered among the English colonies from 
Maine to Louisiana. The poet Longfellow has in 
"EvangeUne" told us their touching story. 

T. Meanwhile the Indians flitted like shadows 
among the settlements of Maine. There was scarcely 
a town where houses were not burned, and men, women 
and children killed or carried into captivity. Fifty 
men scouted constantly from the Piscataqua Ponds to 
Saco River; fifty more from New Boston (Gray) by 
way of Sebago Pond and New Gloucester; ninety 
from New Boston to Fort Shirley, in Dresden; and 
one hundred from thence to St. George's River. All 
these could not wholly prevent the destructive rage of 
the savages from making many victims ; but when the 
fate of the French in Nova Scotia became known, the 
Indians, alarmed for themselves, forsook the frontiers 
and retired to the northern wilds. 

8. The Indians who had been engaged in these 
hostilities were the Anasagunticooks, Canibas and 
St. Francis. The Tarratines still remained neutral, 
and no hostile acts had been committed by them dur- 
ing the war; yet a Captaui Cargill, who had raised a 
company to tight the northern In(Hans, coming upon 
a party of Tarratine hunters near Owl's Head on 
Penobscot Bay, immediately shot down twelve of 
them. There was no (;all for such a force as Cargill's 
in that region ; neither was any care taken before they 
tired upon the hunters, to learn whether they were 
friends or foes. Cargill was very justly arrested for 
this act; but thougli he was kept in prison for two 
years, no Indian appeared against him, and he was at 
last discharj^ed. Govermnent did what it could to 



172 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1756 

avert vengeance for the outrage, sending a letter of 
condolence to the fainihes of the slain Indians, and 
loading with presents a party of the tribe who soon 
after visited Boston. 

9. The governor not long after required the Penob- 
scot Indians to furnish a number of warriors to join 
the English against the hostile tribes, according to 
their agreement in the last treaty ; threatening to treat 
them as enemies if they refused. They were unwilhng 
at any time to take up arms against their brethren of 
the Kennebec and St. Francis, and were now especially 
bitter against the English; wliile the French, who 
were of the same religion, were urging them to join 
their cause; — yet they decided to remain neutral. So 
government declared war against them because they 
did not fulfil their treaty obligations. 

The next spring [1756] the Indians again com- 
menced hostilities against the settlements, small par- 
ties of them being heard from in every quarter, from 
St. Georges to Saco. New Gloucester, especially, 
was so perilous a place that the inhabitants were 
offered the value of two pounds colonial money each, 
if they would stay in the town through the year. 

10. In Windham one morning in May ten men 
started to work upon the farm of one of their number, 
about a mile and a half from the garrison. They were 
all armed with guns, as usual, and had with them a 
yoke of oxen attached to a sled, — for carts were difii- 
ciJt to be got in those days. When nearlj^ to the field 
two of them went ahead to let down the bars for the 
oxen, and were shot down by the Indians from an 
ambush. One of them having two balls lodged in his 
heart, died instantly; the other, named Winship, had 
one ball pass through his head near the eye, and 
another lodge in his arm ; and he also fell. The In- 
dians scalped them both; but Winship was conscious 
all the time, though feigning to be dead, so as to escape 
the knife or tomahawk of the savages. At the report 



1750 THE SIXTH AND LxVST INDIAN WAR. 173 

of the guns four of the men ran back to the fort, while 
the others, led by Abraham Anderson and Stephen 
Manchester, crept silently forward to the spot, and 
hid behind a great log. Manchester put his cap on 
the end of his gun and pushed it into view of the In- 
dians, from behind a tree ; and one of them instantly 
fired at it, thinking it covered a white man's head. 
As the Indian turned aside to load, Manchester stood 
up and shot him dead on the spot. The other Indians 
instantly gave a loud shout and ran into the woods, 
supposing that a large company was after them. The 
Indian who was shot proved to be a chief named 
Poland, who claimed all the lands on the Presump- 
scot River, and had refused to make peace with the 
English until they allowed his claim. 

11. The two men now placed the bodies of their 
companions on the sled and returned to the fort. 
After these liad gone, the Indians returned. Bending 
down a small tree until its roots at one side were lifted 
from the grouTid, they thrust the body of the chief 
underneath ; then the tree, being released, sprang back 
and covered it up ; but they had first cut off an arm, 
to be placed in some consecrated burying ground of 
the Catholic church. 

It would weary you if I should relate the incidents 
of this year in Maine. Everywhere the inhabitants 
fell singly, or by twos and threes, before the lurking 
foe ; their buildings were burned, their cattle slaugh- 
tered, — and whatever crops escaped the Indians were 
l)adly damaged by worms, while in many locahties the 
inhabitants were wasted l)y disease. There had been 
no mihtary successes; forts with many regiments of 
troops had been surrendered in the west, the expedi- 
tions up the Kennebec and Androscoggin rivers had 
accomphshcd nothing; and the people were over- 
whelmed with pubhc debt. It was a terrible year. 

In 1758 several events took place whicli quite 
revived the spirits of our people. The first was the 



174 HISTOEY OF MAINE. 1758 

capture of Fort Du Quesne, at Pittsljurg, by Gen- 
eral Forbes, — followed by that of Louisbiirg, which 
now fell the second thne into the hands of the English. 
In the siege of the latter place the famous General 
Wolfe took a brilliant part; and the six hundred sol- 
diers furnished by Maine also did themselves honor. 

12. Maine raised at about the same time, three 
hundred men for her own defense. There was need 
of them ; for in August the fort at St. George's was 
attacked by four hundred French and Indians. For- 
tunately the governor got wind of the movement just 
in time to throw a strong reinforcement into the fort; 
and, unable to gain any advantage, the foe withdrew 
in great rage. Their next attack was on the fort at 
Meduncook, (Friendship) where they killed or cap- 
tured eight men, but failed to take the fort. This was 
the last notable attack of the Indians upon the Eng- 
lish settlements ; and with this season the outrages and 
massacres by the tribes of Maine forever ceased; and 
the Abnaki, Etechemin and Mikmak have ever since 
been peaceful subjects of the English race. 

13. But the result was not yet secured. Indians 
and French still held their ground, the one in Canada 
and about the great lakes, and the other in the remote 
forests of Maine. Therefore, in 1 759, Governor Thomas 
Pownal, who had succeeded Shirley, sailed up the 
Penobscot River, looking for a site whereon to erect 
a fortress. It was the season when the fine scenery 
of this river is at its finest ; and the governor expressed 
his regret that this noble region had been left so long 
to the savages. 

The place chosen for the fort was a crescent-like 
hill on the western side of the river, in what is now 
the town of Prosi3ect. The fortification was ninety 
feet on each side, and the breastwork was ten feet in 
height. Around it was a ditch fifteen feet wide and 
five feet deep; and in the midst of the ditch was a 
high paUsade, making a fatal obstacle to an Indian 



1759 THE SIXTH AND LAST INDIAN WAR. 175 

enemy. At each corner was a flanker tliii'ty-three 
feet square, and in the center stood a block liouso 
forty-four feet square and two stories high, liaving a 
sentry box on the top. This fortitication was named 
Fort Pownal, in lionor of the governor who was its 
buikler. 

14. While the fort was being built, Governor Pow- 
nal and General Waldo with a guard explored the 
river to the first falls, in Bangor. General Waldo 
was niueli interested in the new fort, because it was 
within the Muscongus, or Waldo Patent, in which he 
was a large owner. The northern limit of this patent 
was then thought to be near the pohit on the east of 
the river where tlie party halted. General Waldo, 
walking out a little distance from the others, stopped, 
looked about, and made the remark, "Here is my 
bound." He soon after dropped down in a fit of 
apoplexy, and died on the spot. 

Meanwhile great l)attles were in progress at the 
west ; and soon the glad news came that Fort Niagara 
had surrendered to the English, and that General 
Amherst had driven the enemy from Ticonderoga and 
Crown Point, while a strong force was besieging Que- 
bec. Then tlie tidings came that the intrepid General 
Wolfe had won a victory over the French on the plains 
of Abraham, sealing the triumph with his life. 

15. A few days before the fall of Quebec, Colonel 
Rogers was sent from Ticonderoga with two hundred 
rangers to destroy the Indian villages about the St. 
Francis River, just nortliwcst of Maine. For twenty- 
t)ne days they inarelied through unl)roken wilds, when, 
from the top of a tall pine, one of the men discovered 
the village three miles distant. That night the In- 
dians held a great feast and dance; and while this 
was going on Colonel Rogers with two of his oflicers 
wandered through the village unnoticed. Towards 
morning, when the weary savages were sunk in a 
di'uukeu sleep, the rangers fell upon them, kUhng a 



176 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^^^^ 

large number, and putting the rest to utter rout. In 
the morning the victors beheld a sight which made 
their blood run cold; for before them, on tall poles in 
the midst of the village, several hundred English 
scalps hung swinging in the wind. 

16. The fall of Quebec filled the whole country 
with joy, for it was the harbinger of security and 
peace, and of many prosperous years. The towns of 
Maine celebrated the event with illuminations, while 
a day of public thanksgiving was held throughout the 
British dominions. 

The power of France was broken in the north, and 
the long-suffering settlers of Maine no more met the 
Frenchman as a foe. When the trying days of the 
revolution came, the French forces, led by the gallant 
Lafayette, made amends to our young and struggling 
nation for the evils their countrymen had inflicted on 
the fathers, while sul>jects of Great Britain. 

What unsettled questions brought on the last war with the 
French and Indians ? How far southward had the French ex- 
tended their fortresses? What noted man first appeared in 
national affairs at this period ? What forts were built in Maine 
about this time ? Where did the Indians make their first attack in 
Maine ? What events occurred in Nova Scotia during this war ? 
Why was war declared against the Tarratines ? What Indian vil- 
lage at the northwest of Maine was destroyed ? What effect did 
the fall of Quebec have ? How did the French nation atone for 
their injuries to our forefathers ? 



1760 TUE DA\VN OF TUE REVOLUTION. 177 



CnAPTER XXII. 

1. After years of bloody strife the sun of the 
eastern tribes had set in darkness, and the power whicli 
had uri^ed them on to useless wars was overthrown. 
It is with a feeling of relief that we turn from scenes 
of savage cruelty to scan the fair Holds of peace and 
prosperity. 

The population of Maine in 1742 (a few years before 
the last Indian war connnenced) was twelve thousand 
souls, — aside from the Indians, who at the close of this 
war numbered nearly fifteen hundred. The towns 
and plantations at this date had increased to about 
twenty-five ; extending as far eastward as St. Greorge's 
River, northward to Cushnoc (Augi>sta), and west- 
ward to Tow-woh (Lcl)anon) and New Gloucester. 
The population of Massaclnisetts, Rhode Island and 
Comie(;ticut had increased greatly beyond that of 
Maine ; for their settlements had not suffered for more 
tlian a century from the incursion of an enemy, except 
on tlicir extreme northern borders. But Maine was 
all border; her small luimlets stretching in a slender 
line along an hundred miles of coast, with a vast wil- 
derness i>ehind tliem. I tliink tliat Massachusetts 
could well afford a few men to garrison our forts ; for 
if the settlements of Maine had been overrun, the sav- 
age foe would have carried terror and destruction into 
her own villages. Surely there was much of heroism 
in the founders of our State, or they would not have 
chosen to come where forests must be felled, and the 
rough earth swept by fire before the seed could be 
l>lanted and crops grown, and where tliey were ever 
liable to sudden destruction from the revengeful and 
bloodthirsty savage. No wonder that their bodies 
grew stunly and their manners rude ! Yet if their 



178 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^^^^ 

natures were rugged, like the hills among which they 
dwelt, the sweetness of the valleys lived in their deep 
affection towards the dear ones for whom they toiled 
and suffered. 

2. In 1760, two new counties were formed, our 
present Lincoln and Cumberland. The boundaries of 
Cumberland have remained nearly unchanged ; but 
Lincoln included all the country nortliward of the 
Androscoggin, and eastward to the St. Croix River. 
Its shh'e town was Pownall)orough ; of which the 
towns of Dresden, Wiscasset and Ahia were after- 
wards formed. 

Governor Pownal, for whom this town had been 
named, was much interested for the eastern people, so, 
of course, they greatly esteemed him. He was popu- 
lar in Boston, too, though not a Puritan ; and when 
he embarked for England at the close of his official 
term the members of the government attended him to 
his barge. He was afterward a member of Parliament ; 




GOVERNOR THOMAS POWNAL. 



17G2 THE DAWN OF THE REVOLUTION. 179 

and by opposiiij^ tlie ucts of oppression :igainst the 
colonies, proved hiuiself a trnc friend of America. 
Sir Francis Bernard, who a few months hiter succeeded 
him as governor, was on the contrary, entirely sub- 
servient to tlie wishes of the Parliament and King. 

The first Englisli settlements east of the Penobscot 
were made shortly before the year 1762. In this year 
twelve townships lying eastward of that river, were 
granted to several hundred potitioners, a few of whom 
had already settled there. The chief condition of these 
grants was, that sixty protestant families should become 
resident in each within six years. One lot in each 
township was reserved for a church, another for the 
first minister who should be settled there, a third for 
Harvard College, and a fourth for the use of schools. 

3. The years 1761-62 were long remembered ia 
Maine for the sickness, drought and tires. In the 
latter year the fresh vegetation of June was shriveled 
and blighted, and in July the flames, breaking out in 
the New Hampshire woods, swept eastward through 
the towns in York and Cuml)orland counties to the 
sea. It was not \intll late in August that tlieir devas- 
tation was checked by copious rains. 

Soon after the close of L ovewcll's war, Parliament 
made several laws, called Act8 of Trade, for the pur- 
pose of benefiting British revejiues. One was the 
"Iron Act," by which all mills for working iron or 
steel were prohibited in the colonies; so that they 
were obliged to export the "pigs" (or bars of iron) from 
tlieir mines to England, taking in return, in accordance 
with another law, woolen cloths and other fabrics, 
and implements of iron and steel. There was still 
another law imposing a high import tax on the mo- 
lasses and sugar which the colonists of Maine received 
from the West Indies in return for lumber; this and 
lish being nearly all they had to sell. Then the mo- 
lasses and sugar had to be carried to the southern 
colonies to pay for their corn and pork; so that by 



180 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^765 

this time little remained to be turned into money or 
other property. Now that the wars had ceased, these 
laws were enforced with rigor; and tlie British gov- 
ernment began to plan how it might realize still 
greater revenues from America. So in 1765 Parlia^ 
ment passed the celebrated "Stamp Act," by which 
all papers for ships, transfers of property, college 
diplomas, marriage licenses, and newspapers must be 
made of stamped papor, which was supplied at a high 
price by the government. 

4. Tlie feelino; in Maine was strong against these 
/>ppressions, thougli few acts of violence were com- 
mitted on account of them ; but in other parts of the 
country the boldest royalists and stamp-masters were 
liung in effigy, and the latter forced to resign their 
offi(;es. In England that great man, William Pitt, 
Earl of Cliatha)n, said in a speech before Parliament 
on this act, "Sir, I rejoice that America has resisted. 
Three millions of people, so dead to all the feelings 
of liberty as to submit to be slaves, would have been 
fit instruments to mike slaves of all the rest." 

Yet no representative of the colonies was admitted 
to a seat in Parliament ; and our countrymen boldly 
declared that ''''Taxition without representation is 
tyranny P In 1766 the obnoxious act was repealed; 
and the event was celebrated in Maine by bonfires and 
illuminations, the firing of cannon and display of flags. 
The next year another form of taxation was tried on 
the colonies ; a duty being imposed upon all paper, 
glass, colors, and teas brought into the country. Tliis 
tax was not, like the former, opposed by force; but the 
representatives of the colonies met together and ex- 
pressed their detestation of British exactions, and took 
all lawful means for the redress of their wrongs; 
recommending the people to a manly defense of their 
rights, whetlier it brought relief or led to warlike 
resistance. Meanwhile by means of newspapers, ora- 
tions and pamphlets, patriots like Samuel and John 



1768 THE DAWX OF THE REVOLUTION. 181 

Adams, with Otis and Mayliew, in Boston, Livingstoa 
of New York, and Gadsden of South Carolina, instruct- 
ed the ])jo[)b in their rights and stimulated the spine ot 
liherty in tlieir breasts. 

5. In 1708 seven hundred British soldiers arrived 
at Boston to enforce these iniquitous laws. The^ 
landed under cover of the guns of their vessels, antj 
witli loaded muskets and bayonets fixed, marched uj! 
to the Common. This, of course, greatly incensed the 
people; and Governor Bernard, being unable to pre- 
vail on the General Court to agree to any of liisj 
measures, the next year departed from the country 
in great disgust. His successor, Thomas Hutchinson, 
was a native of Boston, and a man of learning, abilitv 
and wealth ; l)ut, hoping to receive from the king an 
order of nobility, he became a foe to the liberties oi 
his country. Having a familiar acquaintance with the 
people, he thought he could carry the Idng's measure? 
by persuasion and skilful management. So the duty 
was taken off most of the articles in the new tax list, 
with the principal exception of tea. 

Such a concession might have satisfied the peoplo 
at first, but it did not now; and they formed associa 
tions, the mend>ei's of which were ])ledged to drink na 
tea, in order thus to make a peaceable protest againsV 
the tax. Not that they cared much for so small a 
matter of itself, but their eyes were now open to see 
the danger and wickedness of being taxed by a gov- 
ernment in which they had no representative. 

6. Soon after this a sad afi'air happened in Boston. 
General Gage had sent some of his red-coated soldiL«-s 
from New York to aid Hutchinson in governing Bos- 
ton. Parties of them in passing through the streets 
were often gazed at and followed by idle men and rude 
boys, who were called by the soldiers, "Damned Yan- 
kees," and "Rebels" ; while the rabble retorted by 
shouting, "Lol)sters," and "Bloody Backs." The last 
taunt was a very bitter one to the soldiers; for it waa 



182 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^73 

ill iiilusioii to the practice of flogging wliicli then pre- 
vailed in the British army. So the soldiers and the 
rabble quickly got to quarrehng; and one day (the 
fifth of March, 1770,) the soldiers fired on a party of 
sailors who attacked them, killing four and wounding 
several others. This was the famous "Boston Mas- 
sacre," which produced such excitement. 

7. In Maine there had long been a bitterness 
between the surveyors of the khig's woods and the 
lumbermen, which led to frequent fisticufiss; but the 
affair at Portland in 1771 was the first in our State 
which had special relation to the Revolution. The 
king's collector of revenue at this port was absent; 
and the comptroller, who was next in authority, seized 
the schooner of Mr. Tyng, then in harbor, for the 
breach of some rule or other. This act was regarded 
by the people of Portland as unwarrantable, and pro- 
duced great resentment, — at last resulting in a mob, 
which treated the unfortunate comptroller with the 
indignities common with such gatherings. 

8. As the people of the colonies refused to drink 
tea the merchants refused to buy it ; and the tiers of 
tea chests grew higher and higher in the warehouses 
of the East India Company in England. Something 
must be done, or the company would sufier great loss; 
so in December, 1773, they sent several shiploads of 
the article to America. You know what happened 
then. Some men dressed like Indians went on board 
the vessels and broke open the boxes of the dainty 
herb, and threw them overboard, until they reached 
up the ship's sides and tumbled back on deck; for 
just at that time the tide was out, and the heaps of 
tea chests rested on the dock mud. 

9. This.aflfair alarmed Governor Hutchinson, and 
soon after he, also, left for England; and he never 
came back. Then General Gage was appointed gov- 
ernor ; thus becoming the chief ruler of Maine, as well 
as Massachusetts, because we were then a part of the 



1774 THE DAWX OF THE KEVOLUTIOX. 183 

same province. Tlie kinii; and tlic tory members of 
his government were very mncli enraged at the spoil- 
ing of tlie tea; and Parliament ordered the port of 
Boston to be closed from tlie first day of June, 1774. 
"When the order went into effect the bells of Falmouth 
and other towns in Maine tolled all day in token of 
sympathy with the oppressed city. On the 17th, 
Governor Gage dissolved the General Court, — but 
they had already chosen delegates to meet others from 
the colonies in a congress at Philadelphia. 

10. The people of Maine and Massachusetts soon 
after elected representatives, who met in Salem in 
October. They formed themselves into a Provincial 
Congress, and chose John Hancock as its president. 
They also elected a Committee of Safety, and a Com- 
mittee of Supplies, and chose five delegates to repre- 
sent Maine and Massachusetts in the new Continental 
Congress. They also made laws for the formation 
and drill of military companies in every town, and 
reconunended the people to grow more flax, to be 
made into linen, and to enlarge their flocks of sheep, 
so as to produce more wool, — that the colonies might 
be prepared for the events which seemed to be ap- 
proaching. 

What was the population of Maine in 1742 ? IIow many settle- 
ments were there at this date ? Why had not the population of 
Maine increased as rapidly as that of other New England States ? 
What counties were formed in 17G0 ? At what time were the first 
English settlements made east of the Penobscot ? What happened 
in Maine in the year 1701-02 ? IIow did Great Britain oppress the 
colonies at the close of the Indian wars ? What great principle 
did our forefathers proclaim ? What noted aifray took place in 
1770 ? What was the first outbreak connected with the Revolution 
in Maine ? What happened in Boston in 1773 ? What was done 
by the people of Maine and Massachusetts soon after this event ? 



184 HISTOEY OF MAINE. 1775 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

1. In March, 1775, the Cansean, a British sloop of 
war, came to Falmoutli, (Portland) for tlie purpose of 
forcing the citizens to allow the unloading of a tory 
vessel. She was commanded by Captain Mo watt, who 
afterwards proved the especial scourge of Maine. From 
^ahnouth he went to the Penobscot, where he robbed 
Fort Pownal of all its guns and ammunition, and 
nearly broke up the rich trade here carried on with 
the natives. 

Government had at this point taken especial care 
for the comfort of the Indians, having erected build- 
ings for then- use when they came to trade. It had 
also supplied a devoted minister of the gospel for the 
benefit of tlie garrison and such natives as would listen 
to his instructions. One or more ministers had also 
long been sustained at or near Fort Shirley, on the 
Kennebec; and the Indians on these rivers, ])eing re- 
lieved from French influence, became so favorably in- 
clined toward the colonists that neither the British 
agents nor their brethren in New Brunswick were able 
to prevail upon them to take up arms against their 
white neighbors. 

In the very next month after Mowatt's visit the bat- 
tle of Lexington was fought, giving the signal of open 
war throughout the colonies. The news arrived in 
York at evening. In the morning the citizens flocked 
together, a company was enhsted, armed and equipped, 
and the following night it reached New Hampshire on 
the way to Boston. Three days later Falmouth sent 
a company ; and shortly after. Colonel Scammon of 
Biddeford readied Cambridge with a regiment. New 
Gloucester raised twenty men, paying their wages and 



1''75 EARLY EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION. 185 

supporting their fiiunlies during tlieir absence. Thus 
did our good State of Maine answer the summons of 
liberty. 

2. The inhal)itants eastward wore too remote and 
scattered to furnish any more troops than were neces- 
sary to protect their own exposed borders ; yet, as wt 
shall see, they were not in the least behind tlieir wes- 
tern brothers in courage and patriotism. "When the 
news of Lexington tight reached Bath, the people de- 
cided that war had begun, and that all persons under 
British control must be treated as enemies of American 
liberty. It happened that a c()m[)any of Britioh werf. 
then preparing masts at tlic Icing's dock ; and Colonel 
Sewall, with tliirty other inlial)itants, maiciied down 
to seize them. Tlie workmen hastily jumped into their 
boats and got on board the vessels, which then sailev* 
away down the river and escaped ; but the naval 
agent was left in the hands of the citizens. 

A few days after this affair, Lieutenant Colonel 
Thompson, of Brunswick or Topsham, learned that 
the Canseau was again at Falmontli, and that her com- 
mander. Captain Mowatt, spent much time on shore ; 
and, raising a company of volunteers, he proceeded 
thither in hopes to capture him. The standard of tho 
company was a spruce pole with a green tuft at the top, 
while each man had a sprig of evergreen in his cap. 
Having ascertained that Captain Mowatt was to dine 
on shore, tliey concealed themselves in a small wood 
on the east side of the peninsula and awaited his ap- 
pearance. Tlie dinner hour passed ; and soon the cap- 
tain, his surgeon and a citizen sauntered down near 
the grove, and all three were quietly taken prisoners. 

3. When the capture become known on board hia 
vessel, the officer next hi command sent word to the 
authorities, that unless Captain Mowatt was released 
within two hours he would bombard the town. This 
created great alarm ; and many began to pac-k tlieir 
goods and send them olf in carts into the country. 



186 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^775 

But Mowatt promised the town authorities that if they 
wouhl permit him to go on board his vessel he would 
prevent the bombardment ; so two of the leading citi- 
zens became security to Colonel Thompson for liim, 
and he was permitted to depart, on agreement to re- 
turn the next morning. He professed the utmost gra- 
titude to the citizens for their interference in his favor ; 
but, once on board his sloop, he staid there ; and sail- 
ing away, left his sureties to pay the forfeit. 

Then came the battle of Bunker Hill, where the 
brilliant ranks of the British marched up towards the 
silent breastworks, and "Old Put" rode back and forth 
upon his white horse, — when the silent Ijreastworks sud- 
denly became sheeted with Hame, and there was rattle 
of musketry and roar of cannon, — where the smoke of 
burning Charleston poured about them, and the swell- 
ing forces of the British still came on, until the out- 
numbered patriots, with powder spent and useless guns, 
retired before the bristling bayonets of the enemy. 
There were Maine men wlio fought bravely in the 
ranks that day, and some were left lying in their gore 
upon the bloody held. 

4. There were also desperate conflicts at home, and 
successful ones, though not on so grand a scale. In May 
the Margaretta, an armed schooner of the enemy, came 
to Machias for the purpose of convoying some lumber 
vessels to the British at Boston. Seeing a liberty pole, 
the captain came on shore and inquired who erected 
It. He was informed that it was done by order of the 
town. He told them it must be taken down, or he 
would fire upon the village. The citizens held a meet- 
ing and voted not to take it down. Some were dissat- 
isfied, and another meeting was appointed for the next 
Monday. On Sunday the captain and some of his 
ofiicers attended church in the village. Happening to 
look out of the window during the service, he saw a 
company of men armed with guns crossing the river 
on the logs. The frightened captain quickly leaped 



1^75 EARLY EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION". 187 

out of the window and fled to his vessel, Tlie band 
wliich ]iad sent liiin off in such haste consisted of 
Benjamin Foster and some other bold young fellows, 
whose plan it had been to surround the church and 
seize the British as they came out. A few shots were 
exclianged between this party and the schooner, but 
she soon sailed down the river beyond their reach. 

5. The next day Foster and his company were 
joined by six tine brothers, named O'Brien, with an- 
other company. In the course of a day or two both 
had set off in search of the Margarctta ; Foster in a 
small coaster, and the O'Briens m the wood sloop, 
"Liberty." They found the schooner in the bay, and 
ran alongside with the intention of boarding. She 
received them witli a discharge of swivel guns, mus- 
kets and hand grenades, by which several were killed. 
The vessels fell apart, only Jolm O'Brien, one of the 
six brothers, having got on board the enemy. Seven 
of the British instantly fired at him, but not a bullet 
touched liim. Then they charged upon him with their 
bayonets; but before they could reacli him he was 
overboard, and swimming to his sloop. Several of 
the enemy had fallen by the fire of the Americans, 
and among them their captain ; and when the vessels 
were again brought together the officer in command 
fled below in terror, and the crew yielded at once. 
Tliis was the first British vessel captured by Ameri- 
cans; and the action brought the captors much 
applause. 

6. O'Brien's sloop w^as then fitted up with bulwarks, 
armed with the guns of the captured schooner, and 
sent oft' on a cruise. A month later she fell in at 
Buck's Harbor witli two vessels whicli had been sent 
out to recapture the Margaretta. These were the 
Diligent, a schooner of eight guns and carrying fifty 
men, with her tender, armed witli swivels and caiTyiug 
twenty men. Foster, in liis coaster, came to O'Brien's 
aid; and the Diligent and her tender were captured 

9 



188 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1776 

without the loss of a man. For these brilliant exploits 
Foster and the O'Briens received the thanks of Con- 
gress. 

Only once since Mowatt dishonored his word and 
sailed away, had the good people of Falmouth sufi'ered 
the least intimidation from the enemy ; that was when 
a sloop of war came to help away some tories with 
their goods. Again in October the inhabitants were 
alarmed by the sight of four British vessels entering 
then- harbor ; but when they saw that Mo watt's vessel 
was the flag ship of the squadron their minds were 
more at ease; l3ecause they trusted in his gratitude 
for the favor they had done him five months before. 
Great was their consternation when, the next day, he 
Bent a letter ashore, stating that in two hours he 
should open a bombardment on the town, 

7. At this time the place consisted of about five 
hundred dwelHngs and stores, with many barns and 
stables. Some hundred of the poorer sort of houses 
were scattered over the peninsula to the south and 
west, but the main portion were clustered together in 
the midst of the slope towards the harbor. The place 
was entirely defenseless from an attack by sea; but as 
no provocation had been given no such event was 
looked for. The time allowed the inhabitants to 
secure their safety was cruelly short; and a committee 
was sent to inquire the cause of such an extraordinary 
proceeding. Mowatt made them this answer: — "My 
orders I have received from Admiral Graves, and they 
direct me to repair to this place with all possible ex- 
pedition, take my position near the town, and burn, 
sink and destroy, — and this without giving the people 
warning. The note you have had is of special grace, 
at the risk of my commission." 

8. The committee protested against the barbarity 
of the order, and urged the town's claims for the favor 
done him a few months ago l)y its citizens; but lie oidy 
rephed that his orders related to every seaport upon 



1775 EARLY EVENTS OF THE KEVOLUTION. 189 

the continent. Yet he finally said that if they would 
deliver him four pieces of cannon, their small arms 
and tlieir ammunition by eight o'clock the next morn- 
ing, he would spare them until he could hear from the 
admiral, who miglit be induced to spare the town; or 
if tliey would give him eight stands of small arms 
immediately they should not be molested until the 
hour named. They were completely at the mercy of 
this petty tyrant ; and in order to save something from 
their liomcs to keep their tamilies alive, they sent him 
the eight stands of arms. At daylight the next morn- 
ing tlie citizens held a meeting, and resolved to give 
up nothing more, but to sacrifice their dwelHngs rather 
than lose the remainder of their precious guns and 
ammunition. 

The committee informed Captain Mowatt of the 
decision, and besought him for hum;iiuty's sake to 
allow them further time. 

"I ^vill give you thirty mmutes and no more," re- 
plied the cruel and ungrateful man. 

9. There were few teams in the place, and most 
of tlie household goods still remained in the dwellings 
or piled up before the doors when the vessels opened 
their batteries upon the town. The firing was rapid, 
and the cannon balls, bombs and grape shot poured 
in a terrible shower upon the defenseless village. No 
spot was safe from them, and the inhabitants were 
forced to flee for their fives — many of them saving 
only what they bore away on their backs. Under 
cover of the guns, armed parties came from the ships and 
aj^plied the torch to the buildings; yet the citizens, 
with devoted courage, followed after them, putting 
out the fires at the risk of their fives; but in spite of 
their efi'urts the flames prevailed. Towards niglit the 
bombardment ceased, but the fair and flourishing vil- 
lage of yesterday was riddled with shot and shell, or 
lay in aslies. St. Paul's church, the new court-house, 
the town-house, the pubfic Hbrary, the fii-e cugine, — 



190 HISTOEY OF MAINE. 1776 

all were gone ; and the houseless people gazed from 
afar on the fading smoke columns that marked the 
places of then' desolated homes. 

10. Scattered over the peninsula there were still 
nearly an hundred houses whicli had escaped the bom- 
bardment; and the owners of these, with such other 
of the inhabitants as decided to remain, began at once 
to prepare against any future attack. All the heavy 
arms tliey could procure were two six pounders; and 
before the walls of .the battery were built, another 
vessel came into the liarbor and forbade their going 
on witli the work. She carried a heavier armament 
than all of Mowatt's fleet put together ; but the people 
only pressed their fortifications more vigorously, and 
began to contrive ways to capture the vessel. As 
soon as the commander found his threats disregarded, 
he hoisted sail and left the harbor, — probably think- 
ing that he had a good ship to lose, but nothing to 
gain. 

What fort was dismantled by Cant. Mowatt? II dw soon after 
this did the battle of Lexington take place ? What troops were 
immediately sent from Maine ? What happened at Bath ? What 
affair occmTed soon after in Falmouth ? Where was the first cap- 
ture of British vessels made by Americans? Give an account of 
the burning of Falmouth. What happened subsequeatly when a 
vessel of the enemy threatened the place ? 



1775 Arnold's ExrEDiTiON. 191 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

1. The expedition against Quebec through Maine, 
in 1775, was one of the most famous, and also one of 
the most unfortunate events of the Eevohition. It was 
led by Benedict Arnold, who subsequently proved a 
traitor to his country. Ilis army consisted of ten com- 
panies of musketry, from Maine and Massachusetts, and 
three companies of riflemen, from Pennsylvania and 
Virginia, — altogether about 1,100 men. Several per- 
sons connected with this expedition afterward l)ecamc 
noted as war leaders and ]nil)lic men ; among whom 
were Daniel Morgan,c()mmandcr of the riflemen ; Aaron 
Burr, subs('(|uently Vice President, tlien a youth of twen- 
ty ; and Henry Dearborn, of Pittston on the Kennebec, 
wlio afterwjirds became Secretary of War. The plan 
was to ascend Kennebec Piver and its chief western 
tributary to the range of hills which forms the boun- 
dary of Maine on the northwest, whence they would 
soon strike the head waters of the Chaudiere, a river 
emptying into the St. Lawrence. Th-o expedition sailed 
from Newlniryport on the 18th of September ; and, 
entering the Kennebec, ascended to Pittston, where 
two hundred bateaux were in readiness. Dismissing 
the vessels, the troops entered the bateaux and con- 
tinued on to Fort Western, in Augusta, where they 
spent several days in procuring guides and provisions. 

2. First of all went a small exploring party ; after 
this followed Morgan with the ritiemen, then Green, 
Bigelow and Meigs with the main body of the troops, 
while Colonel Enos brought up the rear. Arnold staid 
to see the last boat load depart ; then, entering an 
Indian canoe, he passed one company after another, 
overtaking the riflemen on the tliii'd day at Bombazee 
Rips in Korridgewock. Here the boats had all to be 



192 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1775 

drawn asliore and carried a mile and a quarter to reach 
the navigable water above. It was found that the 
boats were leaky, and that a great part of the provis- 
ion was spoiled or damaged ; and seven days elapsed 
before repairs were completed and they again em- 
barked on the river. 

After passing Carratunk Falls the stream grew 
so rapid that the men were obhged to wade and push 
the boats more than half the way to the Great Carry- 
ing Place, twelve miles below the Forks. The carry 
was fourteen miles long; but three httle ponds on the 
way afforded them as many rests, and a plenty of de- 
licious trout. Then they met Dead River flowing calmly 
through grand old forests resplendent with all the 
brilliant hues of autumn. Passing falls and rapids, 
they at length beheld rising above the woods a lofty 
mountain already white with snow. Here Arnold en- 
camped for three days, displaying from a tall staff over 
his tent the Continental flag ; while Major Bigelow 
ascended the mountain in tlie vain hope of seeing the 
spires of Quebec. The township in which the camps 
were pitched is now called Flagstafl' Plantation, and 
the mountain bears the name of Bigelow, in commem- 
oration of those events. 

3. Soon after leaving this point a heavy rain storm 
set in. The water rushed in torrents do^^^l the liills, 
the river channel filled with drift wood, and the water 
burst into the valley where the soldiers were encamped 
with such suddenness that they had scarcely time to 
retreat to the bateaux before the whole plain w^as cov- 
ered with water. Worse than all, seven boats were 
upset, and the stores lost ; leaving them only twelve 
days provisions, with thhty miles more of hills, woods 
and marshes between them and the head waters of the 
Chaudiere. Many had become sick from toil and ex- 
posure, and were sent back to the division of Colonel 
Enos, who was now ordered to send the invalids to the 
settlements, and come on as fast as possible with his 



1775 Arnold's expedition. 193 

best men, and provisions for fifteen clays. He had 
only three days provisions ; and, at a council of his 
otiiccrs, it was decided that the whole division must 
return or perish. 

The rain had changed to snow, and the ponds, 
marshes and streams became covered with ice; yet the 
men were often obliged to wade and push the bateaux. 
Many of the boats were abandoned, for the oxen had 
been killed for food ; antl everytliing had to be carried 
hy the men. On the 27th of Octo])er the boats were 
lifted for the last time from the waters of Maine, and 
a portage of four miles l^rought them to a small stream 
down whicli they urged the remaining l)ateaux to Lake 
Megantic, the chief source of the Chaudiere. 

4. The next morning a party of fifty-five men was 
sent forward througli the woods to the French settle- 
ments, still seventy miles further, for provisions, while 
Arnold with thirteen men set ofi' in five bateaux and a 
canoe. They were without a guide ; and no sooner had 
they left the lake and entered the river than they were 
obliged to lash their freight to the boats lest it should 
be thrown overboard by the turbulent current. The 
roar of the stream increased. Three boats were 
dashed in pieces upon the rocks, their contents lost, 
and then' crews left struggling in the water. 

The main body of the troops followed on as rap- 
idly as they could. In a few days nothing was left 
except a little flour, which was eaten with water with- 
out salt. On coming near the sandy beach of the river 
some keen-eyed soldier would be seen to dart from the 
ranks down to tlie water's edge, closely followed by 
half a dozen more. They had cauglit sight of some 
water plant, supposed to be eata'ble, and the foremost 
man dug it up with his fingers and instantly devoured 
it witliout washing. A little lean dogl)elonging to one 
of the otiiccrs disa])]K'ared one night, and the nt-xt 
day a few of the soldiers had some thin, greenish fluid 
which they called bear's broth, though no one liad 



194 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1775 

heard that a bear had been killed. Old moose hide 
breeches were boiled and then broiled on the coals, 
and eaten. Many men died with hunger and fatigue, 
frequently four or five minutes after making their last 
effort and sitting down. 

5. Friday, November 3d, was a memorable day to 
the little army. Weary, despairing, starving, few 
could have kept on much longer, when they were met 
by some cattle sent back by the advanced party with 
Arnold. They were saved from starvation ; but most 
of them lived for a bloodier death. After many un- 
necessary delays Arnold led them against tlie strong city 
of Quebec, but the golden moment liad passed. The 
garrison had been reinforced, and hundreds of these 
brave men, who, for the sake of gaining this import- 
ant post, had endured the toil and famine of the wil- 
derness, lay down before the fatal hail of the artillery, 
making the blood-stained snow their winding sheet. 
The brave Montgomery and his victorious little army, 
fresh from the capture of Montreal, shared their fate. 
More than four hundred Americans fell in this attack, 
while four hundred more were taken captive, and suf- 
fered many months of severe imprisonment. 

6. By the close of the year 1775, the Continental 
■Congress was fully entered upon its labors of law-mak- 
ing. Post offices were established and put in operation 
from Maine to Georgia ; and during the winter the miHtia 
was arranged anew. Massachusetts was formed into 
four mihtary divisions, — Maine being one by itself. 
The militia of each county constituted a brigade, which 
was again sub-divided into regiments and companies. 
John Frost, of Ivittery, was Brigadier General of 
York county, Samuel Thompson, of Brunswick, com- 
manded the Cumberland militia, and the officer for 
Lincoln county was Charles Cushing of Pownalborough. 

Tlie British cruisers were on our coast, and the 
militia was at once put in condition to meet the red- 
coats wherever they might set foot on our shores. 



177C THE WAR IN TUE EAST. 195 

Falmouth was partially rebuilt, having fortifications 
mounting six cannon, and she now felt herself com- 
petent with the aid of the militia to beat back any force 
the British might send against her. But General 
Washington had driven the British army out of Boston 
and early in the summer their vessels mostly went 
southward. 

On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress declared 
the thirteen United Colonies to be Free and Inde2)end- 
ent. In Maine the ministers read the Declaration to 
their people, and the town clerks entered it at full 
length in their records. We had a country, now, and 
were no longer rebellious subjects of a foreign power, 
but citizens and sovereigns of Independent States. The 
question was no longer whether we would be able to 
obtain our riglits of Great Britain, but whether we 
would be a Nation or a subjugated people. Tories 
were no longer a political party, but enemies, spies and 
traitors, and to be treated as such, or in pity allowed 
to depart from the country. This Indej^endence in- 
fused spirit into the people ; and the citizens of Maine 
wanted to be doing something by which it might be 
secured forever. 

7. Therefore in September of this year an expe- 
dition set out from Machias to capture Fort Cumber- 
land on Chignecto Bay in Nova Scotia. Tlie force 
consisted only of a schooner and a few whale boats, 
carrying seventy men. The commander was Jolm- 
atlum Eddy, who had formerly lived in the neighbor- 
hood of the fort, l)ut had been driven away by the 
authorities l)ecause he wished that province to join the 
otlier colonies. At Chepody Hill, not far from the fort, 
Colonel Eddy's men cajitured fifteen soldiers with their 
captain. Two or three days later a vessel came into 
the harbor witli supplies for the garrison, and Colonel 
Eddy with twenty-five men sallied out afoot over tlie 
fiats during a fog, and made lier a prize. Many of 
Eddy's old neighbors joined him, so that he soon had 
a force of one hundred and fifty men. 



196 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1776 

At length on a cloudy night the attack was made 
on the fort. Its embankments were very high, and 
along the top were placed heavy logs, ready to roll 
down upon any assailants. The garrison had been 
reinforced and was expecting the assault ; and Colonel 
Eddy was repulsed with much loss. The result of 
this expedition was very painful. The enemy pursued 
the little band, destroyed their camp, and captured their 
vessels, forcing them to make their retreat througli the 
wilderness. After twenty-five days of toil and suffer- 
ing the straggling remnant arrived at Machias, hungry 
and gaunt, with clothing half stripped from their bodies. 
The houses of such as lived at Chignecto were burned 
by troops from the fort, and their families left home- 
less and destitute until the next spring, when, after ex- 
treme sufferings, they were brought away by a vessel 
under a flag of truce. 

8. Another patriotic refugee from Nova Scotia, 
John Allan, had been a member of the General Assem- 
bly of the province, but sympathized so openly in the 
American cause that he was obliged to fly for his life, 
and had not even time to bring away his family. At 
the failure of the attack on Fort Cumberland his house 
was plundered and burned with the rest, and his wife 
thrown into prison. Congress made him its agent to 
keep the Indians from joining the British, who were 
using every means to win them. If they had succeed- 
ed, all of Maine east of the Penol)scot would probably 
have now been a part of the British dominions. Col- 
onel Allan spent most of his time with the Passama- 
quoddy Indians, keeping a government store for the 
benefit of tliis and other tribes. 

After the Indians had joined with the Americans in 
the repulse of the vessels at Machias, they were in 
much dread of the British, and rehed greatly on Col- 
onel Allan for counsel and aid in case of an attack 
upon them. They were also very much attached to 
him J yet, as he was obliged to leave them frequently 



1777 THE WAR IN THE EAST. 197 

for otlier duties, they feared lie might forsake them 
entirely ; and at last they refused to permit his depar- 
ture unless he left his two boys as security for his return. 
These boys remained with the tribe two years ; and 
though they must have found much to enjoy, they 
were many times obliged to live on iish, parched corn, 
and seal's flesh, and were often ragged, hungry and 
miserable. Their father did the best he could to keep 
up their courage and character under these difficult 
conditions ; often writing them such letters as the fol- 
lowing : 

9. "Be very kind to the Indians, and take particu- 
lar notice of Nicholas, Francis, Joseph and old Cou- 
cou-guash. I send you books, paper, pens and ink, 
wafers, and some otlier little things ; shall send more 
in two or three days. Let me entreat you, my dear 
children, to be careful of your company and manners, 
be moral, solier and discreet. Duly observe your duty 
to the Almighty, morning and night. Mind the Sab- 
bath day, not to have either work or play, except 
ne(;essity compels you. I pray God to bless you, my 
dear boys." 

In 1777, Machias was made a national military sta- 
tion, and su[tplied with two nine pounders, and garri- 
soned with three hundred men under Colonel Allan. 
The British remembered well the previous exploits of 
the Machias people, and as soon as the admiral heard at 
New York of this new movement he despatched a 
naval force to destroy the town and to defend the Nova 
Scotia coasts against the troul>lesome people of Maine. 
In August of tliis year, and before a garrison was col- 
lected together, a sloop, two frigates and a brig anchor- 
ed in Machias Hiver. Ilavhig burned a tide mill and 
taken a coasthig sloop, they sent the brig, the sloop, 
and some barges laden with soldiers up the west branch 
to destr(^y whatever came in their way. They landed 
at "Indian Brim," where they burned down a few 
buildings ; then, the wind having died away, they towed 



198 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^77 

their brig and sloop up river to a point witliin a mile 
and a half from the falls. 

10. By this time it was late in the afternoon, and the 
people had learned the position of the enemy, and 
gathered for the attack. The barges had come np to 
within half a mile of the falls, and here the firing 
commenced upon them from both banks of the river. 
Tlie men were speedily driven from the barges on board 
the sloop and brig, which drifting down river, made 
the guns of the British very uncertain in their aim. 
Soon the brig ran aground, and such a shower of bul- 
lets was poured down on the deck from the banks that 
the men were obliged to go below to save their hves. 
At length a breeze sprang up in a favorable quarter, 
and the vessels succeeded in getting off. Every man 
in town capable of bearing arms had now found his 
place somewhere along the river, and watched to get 
a shot at the invaders. Colonel Allan had brought 
down his Indians who whooped in their pecuhar way 
from their hiding places, and the white people who were 
scattered through the woods along the river imitated 
their yells, until the retreating marines thought the 
forests fall of wild warriors. The British were quite 
discouraged by this experience from attempting any- 
thing more; and a day or two later the squadron left 
the harbor. 

The great event of this year was the surrender of 
•the British army under Burgoyne to General Gates at 
Saratoga; and the news gave a joyful close to the sea- 
son's campaign in Maine. 

What famous expedition passed up the Kennebec in 1775? 
What noted men were connected with it? What was the result of 
this expedition ? What was done by Congress at the close of the 
year ? What effect did the declaration of independence have in 
Maine? What was the result of Johnathan Eddy's expedition 
against Fort Cumberland ? What valuable service did Col. John 
Allan render to the American cause ? Describe the action with the 
British at Machias ? What great victory occurred near the close of 
the year ? 



1778 EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION. 199 



CHAPTER XXV. 

1. Tlie Continental currency, which was ahnost 
the only money in circulation, had constantly fallen in 
value, until at tliis time it took thirty dollars in bills to 
ei[ivd\ one in specie. Six dollars in currency was the 
price of a pair of stockings; seven dollars were paid 
for a pair of common cowhide shoes, — while beef was 
live and six dollars a pound. In 1779 corn sold for 
thirty-iive dollars per bushel, wheat meal for about 
seventy-five dollars, molasses at sixteen dollars a gal- 
lon, and tea at nineteen dollars a pound. Yet the high 
price of some of these articles was owing }>artially to 
the injury of the crops l)y drought. Surely these were 
times when men's courage and strength were tried to 
the utmost. The pay received by a private soldier 
was insufficient to keep his family from want; yet the 
ranks of the army, thinned by battle and disease, must 
be filled up, — if not by volunteers, then by draft. 

2. Early in the year 1778 Hon. John Adams was 
appointed minister at the French Court. This was 
an important appointment; for it was hoped that 
France would be induced to aid us in our arduous 
struggle. His safe conveyance to that country was 
entrusted to Commodore Tucker, afterward a citizen 
of Bremen in this state. He was then in command of 
the frigate Jjosto?i, and in Feljruary he sailed for 
France with Mr. Adams on board. He soon found 
himself pursued by three British ships, wliich had been 
on the watch for the minister's departure. It is diffi- 
cult to escape from two swift vessels, the fugitive 
being almost sure to be intercepted on one side or the 
other ; but if there is a third to follow up in a direct 
line it must ordinarily be impossible to avoid an en- 
counter. By uncommon skill in maneuvering Tucker 



200 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^778 

eluded them for several days. As tliey entered the 
Gulf Stream a great storm arose, and the Boston saw 
its pursuers no more. 

3. A few days later they discovered an English 
ship ahead; and this both the captain and his noble 
passenger desired to capture. Mr, Adams, havnig 
obtained a musket, placed himself among the marines 
with the determination of taking a part in the figlit. 
Captain Tucker soon caught sight of the minister; 
and, stepping up to him, placed a hand upon his 
shoulder, saying sternly, "Mr. Adams, T am com- 
manded by the Continental Congress to deliver you 
safe in France, and you must go below, sir." Mr. 
Adams smiled and went down to the cabin. 

When within range a shot was fired at the Martha, 
which was the name of the enemy's vessel, to bring 
her to. She replied l>y a discharge of three guns, 
wliich cut away some of the rigging; and a piece from 
the mizzen cauie down upon the captain's head, felling 
him to the deck. But he was upon his feet the next 
moment, and sooii had his frigate in position for a rak- 
ing fire upon the enemy. The mariues were at their 
posts, the great guns were shotted, the matchstocks of 
the gunners were smoking, — still the order to fire was 
not given. The men grew impatient, and began to mur- 
mur and swear bitterly that so fine a chance should l)e 
allowed to pass, — when the commander shouted in 
that stentorian voice for which he was famous, "Hold 
on, my men; I wish to save that egg without brealdng 
the shell." They did not have to wait long; for the 
enemy overheard the order, and took the hint ; and 
his flag came down immediately. 

4. It is said that Tu(;ker captured more guns from 
the enemy than any other naval commander of the 
Hevolution. By his success he amassed considerable 
property, and resided in a fine mansion on a fashionable 
street in Boston ; but, becoming fatally addicted to 
strong drink, he lost his standing with government, 



1779 EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION. 201 

his property slipped from his lifinds, and he was reduced 
at leugtli to a farm in Bristol, Maine, where in a rough 
house of three rooms he and his family lived many 
years. 

The ambassador had been safely landed in France; 
and in the following June, Count d'Estaing reached 
our shores with a Heet to aid the American cause. 
This event, with the success of our arms in the battle 
of Monmouth, lifted the gloomy (douds and gave 
assurance that Independence Avould finally be won. 

In 1779 Congress divided the whole country into 
districts, for the purposes of revenue and better admin- 
istration of national laws; and thus it was that we 
became the District of Maine, — still a ])art of Massa- 
chusetts, yet having a United States court and the 
district officers, as we have had ever since. 

5. The British commanders now saw that some- 
thing must be done to check Maine, or she would 
wrest Nova Scotia from them; so in July, 1779, Gen- 
eral McLane with a force of seven or eight vessels 
and nine hundred men, came to Penobscot and took 
possession of Castine. The place was undefended; 
and the larger portion of the fleet soon departed, 
leaving three shxips of war under Mo watt to assist 
the troops in holding the position. Steps were im- 
mediately taken to dislodge them; and about the 
middle of July a flotilla reached Townsend (now 
Boothbay) IIarl)or, where the land forces awaited 
them. The fleet was commanded l)y Commodore 
Saltonstall, of Connecticut, and had on board a few 
companies of marines and a company of ordnance 
under Col. Paul Kevere. Brigadier Generals Frost, 
Thompson and Cushing, of Maine, were there with 
their militia, ready to embark on the patriotic enter- 
prise. The fleet consisted of the flag ship Warren, 
which was a fine, new Continental frigate of thirty- 
two guns, together with nine ships, six brigs and three 
sloops, — the whole carrying three hundred and forty- 



202 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^79 

four guns. General Lovell, of Massachusetts, was 
commander of the laud forces, and his associate was 
Adjutant General Peleg Wadswortli, afterward a resi- 
dent of Maine. 

The British commander at Castine had heard of 
the expedition several days before its arrival, and had 
done his utmost to prepare for the attack. As soon 
as it appeared in sight lie concluded that defense was 
impossible, except he was reinforced; and he sent at 
once to Halifax for aid. 

6. Early in the morning of July 28th the vessels 
were drawn up in a line liefore the British position on 
the peninsula, and four hundred men were sent ashore 
under cover of the fog to commence the attack. The 
neck had been separated froui the mainland by a 
broad, deep trench, and the sides were so well defended 
that the troops could only be landed on the northwest, 
where the shore, at one point, rose precipitously nearly 
one hundred feet. As they bft the boats the cannon 
balls from the British ships began to whistle over 
their heads, and a line of soldiers posted along the 
lieights threw down a l)risk hre of musketry into their 
faces. They immediately divided into three parties, — 
the center remaining to engage the enemy, while the 
other parties climl)ed the bank at right and left. On 
reaching the top thoy suddenly closed in upon the 
British line, which hastily retreated, leaving thirty of 
their number killed, wounded and prisoners. It was 
a short but sharp encounter, lasting only twenty min- 
utes; but in that time we lost one hundred men. 
There was scarcely a more brilliant engagement during 
the war ; and if the action had ])een followed up by 
the fleet the place must in a short time have surren- 
dered. A council was now held, in which it was 
proposed that a surrender shoidd be demanded; but 
Saltonstall opposed, and it was not done. 

7. But General Lovell still pressed his advantage 
on shore, reducing the enemy's outworks and captur- 



1779 EVEXTS OF THE REVOLUTION. 203 

ing several ticl<l ]M'cces. His troops worked all through 
the nights constructing their zigzag entrenchments, — 
which were at length advanced within musket shot of 
the fort, so that in the daytime a soldier seldom dared 
to put his head above the walls. Meanwhile all that 
the ships did with their three hundred and forty- 
guns was to cannonade the enemy at intervals from 
some safe place beyond the reach of his cannon. 

A fortnight had now passed since the siege com- 
nien(;ed, and Generals Lovell and Wadswortii were 
preparing to take the place by assault, — wlien, just 
before they were ready, a British fleet appeared in the 
bay. Valor had dcMie all it could, and now prudence 
dictated a retreat. During the following night the 
Americ^ans embarked in safety, while Saltonstall made 
preparations to clieck the approach of the enemy, 
arraying his fleet in the form of a crescent. The 
British fleet consisted of a large man-of-war, a frigate, 
two ships, two brigs and a sloop, under the command 
of Sir George Collier. It came steadily on, and, get- 
ting within range, poured a broadside upon Salton- 
stall's vessels. 

8. Immediate confusion followed. Most of the 
masters of the vessels were also their owners; and, 
interest prevaihng over patriotism, they fled without 
waiting for a second broadside, and some of them 
without flring a gun. Some of the transports ran 
ashore near Orj^han Island, and were set on Are and 
al)andoned, while others escaped up the Penobscot. 
Few inhabitants then dwelt along the river, and the 
scattered troops were forced to take their tedious way 
through the wilderness to the settlements of the Ken- 
nebec, suft'ering greatly on the journey for lack of 
provisions; and some who were intirm actually per- 
ished in the woods. 

A court of inquiry was held at Boston soon after 
upon the "Penobscot Expedition"; and the General 
Court adjudged that "Commodore SaltoustaU be 



204 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1780 

incompetent ever after to hold a commission in tlie 
service of the State, and that Generals Lovell and 
Wadsworth be honorably acquitted." 

9. In August, 1780, two armed vessels of the 
enemy came up the Kennel)ec to destroy the shipping, 
and do whatever other damage they could. On their 
way they anchored near Bluif Head. During the 
night they were alarmed by the whistling and crashing 
of shot over their decks, — the missiles coming from 
two held pieces on the liill. Though imperfect aim 
could be taken by the gunners in the darkness, sev- 
eral of the British were killed, and the vessels con- 
siderably damaged. As soon as it was light the 
vessels slipped their cables and went to sea, followed 
by several boatloads of men from up the river, anxious 
for battle. This was the enemy's last attempt on the 
Kennebec. 

In the autumn of 1779 Congress had prohibited all 
exportation from Maine, even to other States ; and no 
thubcr, live stock, no wool, flax — or goods made of 
them, no skins, leather, shoes, no kind of food, cloth- 
ing, or material for shi])S, could be carried from the 
province on penalty of forfeiture. Some sales could 
be made to the government, for which payment was 
made in the depreciated currency; yet the people of 
Maine lacked greatly for necessary articles of food and 
clotliing not produced within its Hmits. The pur- 
pose of this embargo was to prevent stores from fall- 
ing into the hands of the British, and to secure sup- 
pHes for our own needy forces. 

10. The fleet which had driven ours from Castine 
brought fifteen hundred fresh troops, and the British 
had now full sway along our entire eastern coast ; and 
many were tlie outrages committed upon the defence- 
less inhabitants. They carried off cattle, burned mills 
and dwellings, and personally abused the people ; so 
that numerous residents in that region abandoned their 
homes and sought safety in the western counties. 



1780 EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION. 205 

The Continental army had drawn so many men from 
Maine tliat two or three companies at Machias, a vol- 
unteer company in Lincoln, and another in York, were 
all tliat remained in service. These were quite insuffi- 
cient tor tlie defence of any point, and served only to 
keep the tories in awe. 

Tlie next year Maine's quota for the national 
army was remitted, and six hundred men were taken 
from the militia for eight months' service at home in 
the pay of the general government. Three hundred 
of tliese were stationed at Falmouth, two hundred at 
Camden, and one hundred at Machias; while Fal- 
mouth also received, in addition to those she had 
bf'forc, two cannon carrying an eighteen pound ball, 
and five carrjdng otic of four pounds. Though these 
provisions were insuiiicient, yet with them tlie military 
authorities succeeded in holding the enemy in check, 
so tluit the British gained no further advantage in 
Maine. 

11. General Wadsworth, a prudent and able man, 
liad been placed in command of the district of Maine, 
and made his iiead quarters at Thomaston. When 
their cig'.it mt)nths of service were out, the six hundred 
men who had been detached from the militia, retired 
from active military duty. Tliis left the general with 
a very small force; ])ut he continued to reside at 
Thomaston with his family, guarded by only six sol- 
diers. In the middle of a cold February niglit he 
was awakened from liis sleep by the loud and rapid 
reports of guns and the crashing of glass in tlie win- 
dows of his room. The British commander at Castine 
had learned of his undefended situation, and sent a 
lieutenant with twenty-live soldiers to take him. 

On their approacli the sentry liailcd, "Who's there?" 
and letreated into the liouse. Instantly a volley was 
poured after him, while others fired into the windows. 
They quickly had possession of the house, excepting 
oue room, which was occupied by the general alone. 



206 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^781 

Here, with a brace of pistols, fusee and blunderbuss, 
he contended, single handed, against his besiegers, 
driving them away from the windows and door. Then 
an attack was made at another door, which they broke 
in. This time his blunderbuss missed fire; yet with 
a bayonet he still kept them back. All this time lie 
was in his night clothes; wliich, as soon as the door 
was opened, rendered him a distinct mai'k for a shot, — 
and a bullet soon pierced his arm. Longer resistance 
was useless; and he surrendered himself a prisoner. 
Presently the lieuteuant entered with a candle ; and 
looking at General Wadsworth, said : "Sir, you have 
defended yourself bravely — done too much for one 
man. But we must be in haste. We will help you 
on with your clothes." In a few minutes lie was on 
the march with the company toward Castine; and 
his family was left without further harm. 

12. In April, Major Burton, one of his officers, was 
captured and confined with him; and tlioy decided to 
make an attempt to escape. With a gimlet obtained 
of their barber, they bored holes in the pine ceihng of 
their room, filling the holes with paste made of bread. 
In three weeks one of the boards was severed, and 
ready to be taken out. • At length there came a night 
favorable to the attempt, when the j-ain and frequent 
loud thunder drowned all minor sounds. The board 
was removed, and Major Burton went out first, while 
the general, whose arm was still somewhat lame, found 
much difficulty in hfting himself through the hole. 
He finally succeeded, got into the entry, and passed 
out of the door, — then felt his way along the outside 
of the building directly under the fixlling water from 
the eaves. He reached the embankment and climbed 
the pickets just in time to escape the guard. Then by 
means of blankets he let himself down into the ditch, 
from whence he crept softly out, and found himself in 
the open field, wet to the skin, but undiscovered and 
free. 



1781 EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION. 207 

13. Still he had not found the major, whom he 
supposed was ahead of him; and he made his way 
northward to a road which had been cut by his direc- 
tion during the siege of this place two years before. 
At sunrise he was seven or eight miles from the fort, 
on the eastern side of the Penobscot ; and here he had 
the pleasure of meeting with Major Burton again, who 
had all the time been in the rear. They found a boat, 
and crossed over to the western bank of the river, 
barely escaping discovery by a barge which came out 
in pm-suit. Three days after they reached the settle- 
ments on St. George's River, and were safe. 

Since the British had gained a stronghold in Maine 
the tories of the western counties and even from Mas- 
sachusetts flocked to their vicinity ; and the outrages 
connnitted by them upon the jiatriots of that region 
were scarcely less atrocious than those of the Indians 
formerl}'. Yet Maine, overrun and afflicted as she 
was, had again to furnish recruits for the national 
army, — this time tive hundred men. Lincoln county, 
also, raised one hundred and sixty men, and York 
county one hundred and twenty for their own defence; 
while the general government, flnding it absolutely 
necessary, ofl'ered bounties to privateers, and sent four 
small vessels and a flotilla of whale boats to cruise 
along the coast. 

14. Intheautumn tlieliglitdawnedof a brighter day. 
This was the surrender of the army under Lord Corn- 
w'allis at Yorktown, — which happened the last of 
Octo])er, 1781. Congress went in solemn procession 
to church, and returned thanks to Almighty God for 
crowning our arms with success ; and a day was soon 
after appointed for the thank^.giving of the nation. 

The British had so far succeeded in rousing the 
Canada Indians that in ITSlaparty of them killed 
two men in the town of Gilead; and in 1782 a larger 
band, roaming through the region, fell upon the infant 
settlement m Newry, set the buildings on fire, and 



208 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^83 

destroyed all property whicli they could not carry off. 
The men of this settlement had gone for a sliort time 
to Sudbury-Canada, (now Bethel) where tliey were 
followed by the savages, and several of them killed, 
and others carried away. Among the Indians who 
had been induced to join the British were two sons of 
Netallie, a chief who dwelt on an island in Lake 
Umbagog, Their father was so incensed by their 
treacliery that he drove tliem from him, and disin- 
herited them forever. 

15. At last, on the third day of September, 1783, 
the treaty of peace was signed at Paris between the 
agents of the American and British governments. 
By this act the boundary between Maine and the 
British Possessions was fixed ; being "formed by a 
line drawn due north from the source of the St. Croix 
River to the highlands, along said highlands, wliich 
divide those waters which empty themselves into the 
river St. Lawrence, from those that fall into the Atlan- 
tic ocean, to the north-eastern-most head of the Con- 
necticut river," — and "east by a line to be drawn 
along the middle of the river St. Croix, from its mouth 
in the Bay of Fundy to its source," — and "all the 
islands within twenty leagues of the shore, and the 
right unmolested to fish on the Grand Banks, and on 
all other banks of Newfoundland, and generally in 
every place where the inhabitants of both countries 
have heretofore used to fish." I have recorded 
these boundai'ies and rights literally, because many 
years later they were partly the occasion of another 
war, 

16. Then the British forces were withdrawn from 
our borders, the noble armies of the Revolution were 
disbanded, and we were acknowledged by the govern- 
ments of Europe to be an independent country, and 
were thus admitted into the fraternity of nations. In 
this war Maine had lost a thousand men; and the pro- 
portion of the pubhc debt which fell upon our scanty 



1790 AFTER THE REVOLUTION. 209 

settlements was larger in proportion to population and 
property than the del)t from the slaveholder's rebellion. 
Now once more our people were left free to pursue 
the noble avocations of peace, and the District of 
Maine rapidly increased in wealth, population and 
power. 

What was the relative value of government bills and specie in 
1778 ? What citizen of Maine conveyed the American minister to 
France ? At what date was Maine made a district under the gen- 
eral government ? Of what place in Maine did the British take 
possession in 1779 ? Give an account of the siege of this place by 
the Americans. What distressing prohibition did Congress make 
in 1779? Why was the quota of Maine to the national army re- 
mitted in 1780? Give an account of what happened to Gen. 
Wadsworth. What joyous event occurred in 1781 ? What was 
done by the Canada Indians in 1781-82 ? Give the boundaries of 
Maine as settled by the treaty of Independence. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

1. We have now come down to the close of the 
Revolution — a period when our great grandfathers 
and great grandmothers were the chief personages 
upon the stage of action; and as they are so nearly 
related to us I suppose you would like to know how 
they looked and what their customs were. You have 
already learned of their struggles for hfe and liberty ; 
and 1 think you will agree with me tliat they never 
could have gone through witli it all so successfully 
had they not, like their own fathers and mothers, been 
possessed of great strength, both of body and mind. 



210 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^90 

Yet among tlie wealthier people the period immedi- 
ately before and after the war was one of "grand" 
manners and showy dress. 

2. Their dwelHngs were large, bnt not so elegant 
and convenient as ours; while carriages for riding 
were scarcely known in Maine before 1790; but peo- 
ple made up for these deficiencies by personal apparel. 
The belles had their silks, their laces, their fine linen, 
high-heeled shoes, hooped petticoats, and long waists. 
They powdered their hair — wliich was usually di-essed 
high on the head, and fastened and ornamented with 
great combs of gold, silver and shell, with the frequent 
addition of gold and silver skewers and bands. Some- 
times they appeared in public in gowns of fancy wool 
cloth, but often in silks and satins. Calico was little 
used, not being rich enough for society,, and too costly 
for common wear — at six shillings a yard. 

The gentlemen of fashion in the early part of the 
century generally wore great wigs, — some bushy, 
others flowing in long curls to the shoulders. After- 
ward the hair was gathered in a cue or club at the 
back of the neck, and tied with a ribbon ; but about 
the time of the Revolution monstrous head dresses 
were discarded by both ladies and gentlemen, and 
more modest fashions prevailed. 

3. The fashionable outside garment was for a long 
time a scarlet cloak, or one lined with scarlet; but 
this color went out of style. I suspect that the red 
coats of the British soldiers made it unpopular. The 
coats were cut straight in front, having a stift', upright 
collar; which, with the pockets and sleeves, were 
trimmed with gold or silver lace. The shirt had 
rufiies at the bosom and wrists, and the wristbands 
extended beyond the coat sleeves, so as to show the 
ornamental buttons which fastened them. The waist- 
coat was without a collar, but descended over the hips, 
and had rounded corners in front. They were often 
made of silk, had great pocket flaps, and much em- 



1700 AFTER THE REVOLUTION. 211 

l)roi(lery. Breeches fitting quite tight reached down 
to tlie knee, where they met the stockings and fastened 
with a buckle. The shoes also were fastened with 
buckles. In 1790 trowsers descending to the anklo 
began to be worn, tlio fashion liaving been brought in 
by the French. In the street the head was covered 
with a napless beaver hat, with a brim generally about 
two feet in diameter, which was drawn up on three sides 
80 as to form three angles, and was worn with a point 
over eacli shoulder, — while the other, coming in front, 
served for a handle to take it oif by when making a 
bow. 

4. But those worthy and respectable men wlio did 
the work necessary to the sustenance and comfort of 
life — earning their bread by the sweat of their brows — 
found themselves most comfortable in their customary 
loose trowsers of tow cloth in the summer, and woolen 
cloth, deer or moosehide in the colder weather. Their 
coats were of similar material ; while for shirts, linen 
was the staple article. Wool was rare for a long time, 
because the bears and wolves killed the sheep; but 
the flax plant grew freely, so that linen was plentiful. 
At the time of the Revolution the country women 
generally had learned to weave on the great hand 
looms; so they wove up the coarse tow and the finer 
flax into thick cloths for the wear of men and boys, 
and into sheets and towels for family use, while they 
produced a finer cloth woven in colored checks for 
their own and their daugliter's wear on Sundays and 
social occasions. In some parts of the country, "spin- 
ning bees" and "wool breakings" were held for 
spinning and carding. Wlien the work was done the 
men, l)oth young and old, came in; and the affair 
iisually closed with simple dances and merry plays. 

5. Merrymakings were more numerous than for- 
merly, for settlements increased, and there was no 
lurking foe to be feared. From a few handfuls of 
adventurous colonists we had become a numerous and 

10 



212 HISTOEY OF MAINE. ^''^O 

independent people, able to cope successfully with tlie 
nations of Europe. Every Indian tribe was destroye.^ 
or driven off, except the friendly Tarratines. These 
were secured by government in possession of several 
large islands in the Penobscot above Bangor, with the 
right of hunting on all the tributaries of the river 
above this point. Being now permanently at peace 
they cultivated the ground more than formerly ; and 
the furs from their winter hunting brought them many 
of the comforts of civilization. Their manners were 
still much the same as ever ; but their hunting and 
household implements were such as the white people 
used, while their dress had undergone a thorough 
change. 

6. They usually wore a woolen cap or bonnet of 
a conic form, which might be drawn down to cover 
the ears and the back of the neck. For coats they 
had a sort of sack or blouse almost as formless as a 
meal bag, without buttons, being fastened at the waist 
by a belt. The women wore short sacks, meeting 
the skirt at the waist, and pinned togetlier in front. 
Their long stockings of blue woolen overlaid the 
drawers and covered the knee. Though a supply of 
shoes was kept at the trading houses, they mostly 
wore moccashis — doubtless IjecauSe they were both 
easier and cheaper. Add to these, bright scarfs, rib- 
bons and plumes, and metallic ornaments of all sorts, 
and you have a true picture of the Penobscot In- 
dians as they appeared at the beginning of the present 
century. To-day they have discarded this dress, also ; 
and for the most part appear in the gai'b of their 
white neighbors. 

7. As soon as peace was concluded with Great 
Britain, the eyes of many thousands were turned upon 
Maine ; and presently many thousand feet were march- 
ing toward her forests, with their property following 
in ox cart or boat, or, perhaps, carried on their backs. 
Many were soldiers of the Revolution, fresh from the 



1790 AFTER THE REVOLUTION. 213 

disLanded armies; and often tlieir only wealtli was a 
soldier's note or a few worn and nearly worthless 
bills, — the balance of their pay for long and arduous 
service in their country's cause. But they were rich 
in patriotism and courage, while their industrious 
habit was shown by the speedy clearing of farms and 
the rearing of many a comfortable home. It soon 
began to be seen how small was the reward these 
noble men had received in comparison with their ser- 
vices; and the General Court, a few years after the 
close of the war, offered as a gratuity to every one 
who had served three years, his choice between twenty 
dollars in money, and two hundred acres of land on 
our eastern frontier. 

8. The government still owned nearly two-thirds 
of the territory, and a great number of towns were 
laid out, and many grants made to deserving indivi- 
duals; while land was sold to soldiers for one dollar 
an acre. Yet there were many trespassers, who both 
occupied land they had not bought, and cut down 
trees not their own; and government was forced to 
appoint a committee to protect the public property. 
The white pine was the favorite spoil of the lawless 
lumbermen; and the tine for cutting one of them on 
government land was one hundred dollars. Perhaps 
you think this a heavy penalty for a single tree; but 
it is much less than some of them would l)e worth for 
lumber to-day. Sometimes these pines were of such 
size that when cut down a yoke of full grown oxen 
could l)e turned aliout on the stump. They were 
often found measuring four feet in diameter, and have 
been known to reach six feet at the butt, and two 
hundred and forty feet in height. Their green tops, 
towering, hke lofty sentinels, fnv above the surround- 
ing forest, raised in the mind of the beholder a feeling 
<^^)f grandeur — that was greatly increased when he stood 
beside the mighty trunk and, gazing upward, saw its 
long line shoot above the shadows of the threat woods 



214 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1"90 

into tlie unbroken light of heaven. On the opening 
of the war for independence one of the first flags 
designed for our national, standard bore the figure of 
a pine. Afterward, its neighbors of the niglit — the 
bright, twinkhng stars — took its place ; but it has its 
rightful position on our State seal, and we find a noble 
significance in our popular name of "Pine-tree State." 

The District of Maine grew so rapidly in population 
and wealth that its separation from Massachusetts and 
erection into an independent State began to be agi- 
tated. The first newspaper published in the District 
was started for the purpose of advocating this project. 
It was printed in Falmouth, and was called "The 
Falmouth Gazette." The first immber was issued on 
New Year's day, 1785, The next year Casco Neck 
was set off from Falmouth and incorporated under 
the name of "Portland." 

9. So far only twelve towns had been laid out east 
of the Penobscot ; and to promote other settlements 
in this fine region, and to raise money for her treasury, 
Massachusetts, in 1786, contrived a land lottery. This 
scheme included fifty townships, each six miles square, 
lying between the Penobscot and St. Croix rivers. 
Against these, 2,720 tickets were issued at sixty 
pounds each; and every ticket entitled the holder to 
a prize — the lowest being a tract of land half a mile 
square. In payment for these tickets government 
received the notes with which the soldiers had been 
paid, and all other public securities; and the lottery 
townships, with those who settled on them, were 
exempted from taxation for fifteen years. At the time 
of the drawing, a large part of the tickets remained 
unsold, and these were bought by William Bingham 
of Philadelphia. Afterward he also purchased most 
of the prize lots from those who had drawn them ; so 
the scheme did not promote settlements so rapidly as 
had been expected. Not long before, Mr, Bingham 
l^ad purchased about one milhon acres in the comities 



1790 AFTER THE EEVOLUTIOX. 215 

of Oxford and Somerset, so tliat he had now becomo 
the o\vncr of above two milHon acres in Maine, — equal 
to nearly one hundred townships of six miles square, 
at a cost to him of twelve and one-half cents per acre, 
Mr. Bingliam afterward removed to Enj^land, where 
he died; but his heirs, up to a late period, owned 
large tracts in eastern Maine. 

In 1790 a census of the inhal)itants of Maine was 
taken by Federal authority, and, to the surprise of 
everybody, the population was found to reach the 
number of 9G,540. The lottery townships, too, had 
gained so many inhabitants that they were tliis year 
separated from Lincoln county and erected into tlic 
two counties of Hancock and Washington. 

10. Among the pioneers of Lincoln county none 
were worthier than tlie German colonists of Broad 
Bay; and their virtuous example has never ceased to 
be a source of strength to our good State. The 
Scotch and Scotch-Irish, also, had settled at several 
points — some on tlie Kennebec at Bath, others in 
Kennebec county on the east of the river, and others 
still in Old York. No doubt many of my readers 
know of localities which bear to this day the name of 
"Scotland," "Ireland," "Scotland Parish"; thus tcU- 
ing the nationahty of their original settlers. In tliese 
the names pecuhar to those people are still found nu- 
merous; and, nearly always, they mark a moral, indus- 
trious and thrifty connnunity. 

11. In 1790 the general government divided 
Maine into nine commercial districts, and appointed a 
collector and other custom-house otticers for each. 
At the adoption of the Federal constitution, Maine, as 
a part of Massachusetts, became entitled to one repre- 
sentative in Congress; but in 1794 a new apportion- 
ment gave her three. 

In 1793 Governor John Hancock died. lie was 
president of tlie convention which framed the Declara- 
tion of Independence; and my young friends will 



216 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^"^^^ 

recollect his name in clear, bold hand as the first 
signature to that noble instrument. He was the first 
governor of the old commonwealth — including the Dis- 
trict of Maine — after we became a nation, and was 
elected to that ofiice twelve successive years, with the 
exception of two years only, when Governor James 
Bowdoin filled the chair. 

It was from the latter gentleman that Bowdoin 
College received its name. This college was chartered 
m 1794, but its first class was not entered until 1802. 
James Bowdoin, son of the governor, was its great 
benefactor, presenting it with both money and land, 
and also with books, paintings and minerals, gathered 
during his residence and travels in Europe. 

What were some of the fashions in dress at the Revolutionary 
period ? What had become of the Indians ? What can you say 
of the soldiers who at this time settled in Maine ? What won- 
derful natural product was found in Maine ? When and for what 
purpose was the first newspaper issued in Maine ? What was done 
in regard to lands between the Penobscot and St. Croix ? What 
people besides the English settled in Maine ? 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

1. The Muscongus Patent had fallen so much into 
the possession of the Waldo family that it had now for a 
long time been known as the "Waldo Patent" ; finally 
Henry Knox, who married a granddaughter, of Gen- 
eral Waldo, by inheritance and pm-chase obtamed from 
it a large estate. General Knox had been the chief of 
artillery in the Continental army, and was the intimate 



1806 THE MALTA WAR. 217 

friend of General "Washington. When the battle of 
Lexington took place Ilenry Knox was a bookseller in 
Boston. He was already known to the British authori- 
ties as an active rebel, and it became dangerous for 
him to remain longer in the city ; therefore he and his 
accomplished joung wife fled together, with his sword 
hidden in her petti('oat. Mrs. Knox was the daugliter 
of tlie secretary of the Commonwealth; and when she 
married this "bookseller" her friends thought her social 
prospects were ruined. They made a great mistake ; 
all through the first presidency she was in the first rank 
of social position, and many of her old acquaintances 
felt it an honor to enjoy the friendship of Lucy Knox. 




GENERAL JIKXKY XNOX. 

2. Young Knox was present as a volunteer at the 
battle of Bunker Hill, and fouglit so gallantly tliat lie 
was soon after made a lieutenant colonel of engineers. 
In the autumn he raised an artillery company ; and 
when, in November, 1775, the patriots besieged the 
British army in Boston, he brought mortars, howitzers, 



218 niSTOET OF MAIi^E. ^808 

cannon and ammunition all the way from Ticonderoga 
and Crown Point on ox-sleds. He was next made 
Brigadier General of artillery, and held that position 
until the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown ; when, 
for meritorious service, he was made a Major General; 
and when the British marched out of New York it 
was he who took possession. General Knox was twice 
appointed Secretary of War ; but in 1794 he resigned 
that office and took up his residence in Thomaston on 
the ancestral estate of his wife. He built a fine house 
in a commanding position near the banks of St. George's 
River, where he maintained the hospitality suitable to 
his rank and wealth until his death in 1806. 

3. The Pemaquid Patent had been divided into the 
Drowne, Browne and Taj)pan rights ; the Plymouth, 
or Kennebec Patent, had been sold to the "Fifty As- 
sociates," for whom Dr. Sylvester Gardiner was cliief 
manager ; the Pejepscot Purchase had passed into the 
hands of Richard Wharton, and thence become distri- 
buted to many persons. On all of these were settlers 
who had cleared land and built houses, without either 
purchase or license. They were called squatters ; and 
the proprietors of the lands were determined to drive 
them olf, unless they would pay a suitable price for 
their enclosures. There were many also whose farms 
had been bought and paid for by their fathers, or 
grandfathers ; and these, too, by the decision of the 
courts, had no rights in the land upon which they had 
been born. Some proprietors had sold land outside of 
their tracts, while settlers who had purchased of real 
proprietors, not knowing the exact boundaries, had 
located where they had not bought ; and the courts of 
Kennebec and Penobscot echoed for years with the 
names of these old grants and rival claimants. There- 
fore in 1808 a law was made called the "Betterment 
Act," for the relief of these persons. It provided for 
an appraisal of the land as it was in a state of nature, 
and also of its improvement by cultivation, with the 



1800 THE MALTA WAR. 219 

value of tlie fences and buildings ; the proprietor then 
had liis choice — eitlier to sell the land to the tenant 
at the price appraised, or pay him the price set upon 
his improvements ; otherwise he must lose the land. 

4. Many of the settlers whose rights were disputed 
formed companies to defend themselves in their lands 
and houses ; and whenever proprietors, or their survey- 
ors, came into these neighborhoods they were haunted 
by bands of armed men, and warned to depart. Many 
times it looked as if there would again be war in the 
District of Maine, — a war of ten«.ints against proprie- 
tors; but in one instance only was life actually taken. 

In September, 1809, as four men were engaged in run- 
ning land in tlie town of Malta (now Windsor) they 
were assailed by nine men disguised as Indians. They 
wore peaked caps of parti -colored cloth, and had a 
covering over their faces pierced with holes for the 
mouth and eyes. Some wore blankets also. Two 
or three carried long staves with pieces of scythes fas- 
tened upon the end, but the others were armed with 
guns and pistols. At the word of their leader, three 
guns were fired at Paul Chadwick, one of the survey- 
ing party, who instantly fell, mortally wounded. The 
surveyor and one assistant immediately fled ; but the 
"Indians" made no attempt to pursue them. The dying 
man, was soon removed by his companions to a house 
in the vicinity. Some of the gang had been recog- 
nized by Chadwick ; and when tlie sheriff arrived tliey 
were found to have fled to the woods, where they re- 
mained concealed. At last by their friends' advice, 
they gave themselves up to the officers of the law, and 
were placed in the jail at Augusta to await their trial. 

5. As the time of court sessions approached, the 
friends of the prisoners began to fear for their fate, and 
to regret that they had advised them to surrender. 
Rumors of rescue began to reach the officers, and the 
prison was strongly guarded and a strict watch kept. 
An intense interest prevailed throughout the coinmu- 



220 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1809 

nity ; for the land proprietors were anxious to see 
whether their rights could be sustained, while the pris- 
oners had the sympathy of all settlers on doubtful 
claims, Next, it was announced that the woods be- 
tween Augusta and Malta were full of armed men 
dressed as Indians, who only waited a favorable moment 
to burn the county building and the houses of the land 
proprietors; and such was the known state of feeling 
among the squatters that the rumor was readily be- 
lieved. A cannon from the old fort was mounted on 
cartwheels, loaded with musket balls and set at the 
west end of the bridge, ready to sweep down the 
rioters whenever they should attempt to cross the river. 
Sentinels were posted, the patrol was enlarged, and 
excited citizens kept anxious watch about their dwel- 
lings. Still the expected attack did not come. 

6. The court sat on the third of October. At mid- 
night the guard stationed east of the river perceived a 
body of armed men approaching from the hill. When 
within about thirty rods of the bridge they halted, and 
sent one of their number forward. The spy came so 
near the post of the sentinels that he was caught 
almost before he was aware of their presence. Three 
of the guard were hastening away with him, when 
some twenty or thirty of the insurgents rushed for- 
ward, beat off the sentinels, and rescued their comrade. 
Major Weeks, who had just come to learn what was the 
matter, was made a prisoner and hurried away to the 
woods. In a few minutes the city was in wild commo- 
tion. Guns were fired, bells were rung, and the streets 
were thronged with excited people. The Augusta 
light infantry company reached the scene of conflict, 
but the foe had disappeared. Before daylight two other 
companies had been ordered out ; but the insurgents 
were not to be found. 

7. In the few days following, companies came in one 
after the other from Hallowell, Gardiner, Winthrop, 
Fayette, Readfield, Yassalboro and Sidney. Perhaj)s 



1809 THE MALTA WAR. 221- 

my readers will think this was a great and unnecessary 
array to oppose to three or four score half armed squat- 
ters ; but you know that a very few men can set a city 
on tire — and the authorities wished to protect prop- 
erty from the flames as well as prevent a rescue of 
the prisoner.^. However, only one or two companies 
were retained in the city, the others returning home 
for the time, but alternating witli each other until the 
trial was concluded. 

The indictment was for murder; but only seven 
of the nine men in the party who killed Chadwick 
were included, since his death resulted from gunsliot 
wounds — and two of them had no guns. The trial 
commenced on the sixteenth of November, and con- 
sumed eight days in the examination of witnesses and 
in the argument of tlie counsel. The charge of Judge 
Parker to the jury presents so many thoughts import- 
ant to be remembered by all who live under a free 
government, tliat I insert a part of it for the benefit 
of boys who will soon be my fellow citizens. 

8. "In this free and happy country, where every 
man's claims are to be decided by his neighbors and 
peers, men of like passions and like interests with him- 
seh", and under laws of his own making, can there be 
any excuse for resorting to violence? Do not tlie 
most abject and miserable find countenance, support 
and encouragement in the maintenance of their rights, 
when they chiim it under the laws ? Have not the 
legislature done everything within their constitutional 
power to aid those who are supposed to have stronger 
claims upon humanity than upon strict justice ? Why 
then do we hear of our citizens assuming the garb of 
savages, and perpetrating acts at whicli even savages 
would treml)le ? To what will all this lead ? If men 
of similar interests may combine and, by menaces and 
violence, deprive their antagonists of the evidence 
essential to the just determination of their disputes — 
or if men may with impunity oppose the laws — such 



222 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1809 

system must go to tlie destruction of every man's com- 
fort, security and happiness, as well as the constitution 
and laws under which we live. There have also been 
menaces that the courts of justice will be stopped by 
violence; and it is notorious that assemblies of men 
have appeared for the avowed object of rescuing the 
prisoners before trial. There is reason likewise to 
apprehend, in case of a conviction of the prisoners, 
that there will be similar attempts to prevent the 
execution of the law. But have not the prisoners had 
a fair, patient and impartial trial ? It has occupied an 
unprecedented portion of time. Every indulgence to 
which they are lawfully entitled has been cheerfully 
allowed them. They have had the best talents and 
the best efforts in their defense. If they are not 
j)roved to be guilty, though themselves may know that 
they are not innocent, they will still be acquitted, and 
allowed to return to their families andfriends. If they 
are convicted the law must have its course. Will this 
government, abounding in loyal citizens, yield to the 
violence of a few deluded men, and tamely see its 
authority defied andits prisons violated without stretch- 
ing forth an arm to prevent its overthrow ? Should 
its powers be exerted, what must be the destiny of 
these wretched, mistaken men ? What, but either to 
be killed in battle, executed on the gallows, or to fly 
from a land of freedom and security, to seek a misera- 
ble shelter in some foreign country. Their habitations 
will become desolate, and they will be fugitives on the 
face of the earth." 

9. The evidence had not shown by which of these 
seven men the three guns had been fired, so that it was 
still doubtful whose act had caused his death. The 
jury, therefore, gave to all the benefit of this doubt ; 
and, after deliberating two days, they brought in a 
verdict of "Not Guilty." 

Yet the trial had a good effect on the community, 
and on the prisoners themselves — even their leader 



1812 THE WAR OF 1812. 223 

professing with tears his penitence and shame; and 
botli proprietors and tenants became more disposed to 
peaceable settlement. 

What noted men became owners in the Muscongus patent? 
What services were rendered in the revolution by Major General 
Knox ? What can you say in regard to other patents ? What law 
was made to enable the squatters and proprietors to make a settle- 
ment? What happened in 1809 in the town of Malta? When 
the murderers were about to be tried what occurred at Augusta ? 
Did this affair show that anything is to be gained by mob vio- 
lence ? 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

1. Hardly liad the excitement from tlic Malta 
"Indians" ceased, when fears of another war with 
Great Britain began to agitate onr people. Napoleon 
Bonaparte was now in the full tide of his victories, 
and England had joined the alliance against him. 
The United States had early issued a proclamation of 
neutrality; but both England and France committed 
many outrages upon our unprotected merchantmen. 
Tlieii the English claimed the right to search our ves- 
sels for seamen, and inauy were impressed into their 
service on the claim that they were British subjects. 
Our government often protested against these out- 
rages, but it did no good ; for they knew our navy to 
be very small, and supposed that our vessels were no 
match for theirs. At length they became so bold and 
overbearing as to searcli our armed vessels; and such 
as refused to allow it were fired upon. The British 



224 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1812 

sloop of war, Little Belt, for some oifense of this na- 
ture, tired upon the American ship, President; and 
the President fired back, giving the Little Belt such 
a dru1)bing that slie sailed off as fast as she could to 
Halifax and complained of the outrage ! 

2. Over six thousand of our seamen had been 
impressed and were held to service in the British navy. 
In all British ports and on the seas our ships were 
detained by search and seizure, and were not free 
from molestation even in our own harbors ; therefore 
in April, 1812, an embargo* was laid for ninety days 
on all vessels in our ports. A treaty iiad been made 
with France — that country being now at war with 
England — hy which the edicts of Bonaparte were 
modified in favor of American shipping; but England 
gave no attention to our protests, and still persisted in 
her outrageous proceedings; therefore, in June, war 
was declared to exist between Great Britain and the 
United States. 

The population of Maine was now over two hun- 
di-ed and twenty-eight thousand, while her exports 
were above eight hundred thousand dollars in yearly 
value, and slic liad shipping afloat amounting to one 
hundred and fifty thousand tons. With such an 
amount of exports and shipping, of course the em- 
bargo told very severely on our interests; and there 
were many who opposed the war, believing it to have 
been declared more to aid the French tlian because 
it was a necessity for the country. 

3. General Henry Dearbon, formerly of Pittston, 
in this State, was made commander in chief of the 
national forces, which were now stationed along the 
northern frontier from Lake Champlain to Lake Michi- 
gan. In August, General Hull cowardly surrendered 
Detroit, while other divisions of the army did nothing 
this year to redeem its honor; but on the sea our little 
navy achieved several brilliant victories. Yet neitlier 
the army nor the navy had been idle since the Revo- 

* See close of chapter. 



1313 THE WAR OF 1812. 225 

lution ; the anny luiving fought successfully with the 
Indians from Florida to the great lakes, while our 
navy had reduced the Barbary States to terms. In 
the latter service Commodore Preble, a native of Port- 
land, bore an honoral)le part. Thetirst noted achieve- 
ment of this otHcer-was during the occupancy of 
Castine by the British in the Revolution. Being then 
first lieutenant of the sloop of war, Winthrop, he 
with a few men boarded a Britisli vessel in the harbor 
of Castine and brought her off under an incessant fire 
from the battery and troops. In 1803 he was placed 
in command of the famous frigate, Constitution, and 
sent with a squadron of seven vessels to obtain the 
release of Americans held in slavery by the Barbary 
States, and to protect our commerce against their 
piratical navies. He had brought Morocco to terms 
and was proceeding against other States when he was 
relieved by Commodore Barron, liis senior, and re- 
turned home on accoimt of ill health. Congress 
recognized the value of his services on the African 
coast, and voted him the thanks of the nation, and 
ordered him an elegant medal commemorative of the 
actions in which he had won distinction. He died in 
1807 at the early age of forty-five, and was buried 
with military honors in his native city. 

4. During the summer of 1813 the brig Enterprise 
was stationed on the eastern coast, where she was the 
terror of the British privateers fitted out in the pro- 
vinces to prey upon our commerce. She carried six- 
teen guns and one hundred and two men, and \vas 
at this time under the command of Captain William 
Burrows. On the 4th of September the Enterprise 
sailed from Portland in search of British cruisers, which 
had been reported near Mouliegan. On the 5tli she 
discovered in a harbor near Pemaquid, a large vessel 
just getting underway. She proved to be the Boxer, 
a British brig of eighteen guns, carrying one hundred 
and four men, an<l commanded by Captain Sauniel 



226 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1813 

Blyth. She had been sent out especially to capture or 
destroy the Enterprise. On observing the Enterprise 
the Boxer displayed four ensigns, and fired several 
guns to call her boats from the shore ; then, spreading 
her sails, she bore gallantly down toward the vessel. 

5. Captain Burrows cleared his ship for action, but 
ran a few miles southward to secure ample sea-room 
for the impending conflict ; then he shortened sail and 
turned upon his foe. They met off Seguin Island, at 
the mouth of the Kennebec. At twenty minutes past 
three the vessels were within half a pistol shot of each 
other, when they opened fire at almost the same mo- 
ment. In the course of the action the Enterprise 
ran across the bows of the Boxer, whence she deliv- 
ered such a destructive fire that at four o'clock the 
ofiicer in command shouted a surrender through his 
trumpet; for the fiag had been nailed to the mast. 
Captain Blyth was dead, being cut nearly in two by an 
18 pound ball; forty-six of his men were killed, and 
twelve more wounded. Captain Burrows was mor 
tally wounded early in the l)attle, while assisting to 
run out a carronade; but he refused to be carried 
below until the sword of the British commander was 
placed in his hand. None on board the Enterprise 
were killed, and of the fourteen wounded, only Cap- 
tain Barrows anel Midshipman Waters died of their 
wounds. Lieutenant M'Call succeeded to the com- 
mand of the Enterprise ; and the next morning he took 
both vessels into Portland Harbor. 

Captain Burrows elied eight hours after the fight; 
and the two brave commanders, foes no longer, were 
buried side by side in the old cemetery beside the 
sea. Longfellow, in the poem called "My Lost 
Youth," wrote of this scene, — 

"I remember the sea-fight far away, 
How it thundered o'er the tide; 
And the dead captains as they lay 
In their graves o'erlooking the tranquil bay, 
Where they in battle died." 



1814 THE WAR OF 1812. 227 

6. A few days later the brilliant victory of Com- 
modore Perry over the British fleet on Lake Erie, 
filled the whole country with rejoiciiii;. The next 
year our naval successes continued, while the victories 
of Chippewa and Bridgewater, in Canada, covered 
our armies with glory. But in August the British 
entered Chesapeake Bay in great force ; and, penetrat- 
ing to Washington, they burned the capitol, the presi- 
dent's house, and the public offices. 

The enemy's cruisers were now so numerous on our 
coast that no vessel thought of making a foreign voy- 
age, and nothing was done on the water except a little 
coasting and fisliing. As a result, all important arti- 
cles became very high. Yet there was an advantage 
in this; for it stimulated native production so much 
tliat this year some thirty companies were incorporated 
in Massachusetts and Maine for the manufactm-e of 
cotton, woolen, glass and metal. 

7. On the eleventh of July, 1814, was made the 
first attack of the war on the soil of Maine. On that 
day a British fleet swept over the waters of Fassama- 
quoddy Bay and came to anchor oil' Fort SulUvan, 
at Eastport. This fortification was the sole defense of 
the place. It mounted but six guns, and was manned 
by two companies of soldiers under the command of 
Major Ferley Putnam. The armament of the enemy 
was under the connnand of Sir Thomas Hardy. It 
consisted of his flag-sliip, Families of seventy -fom* guns, 
the sloop Martin, the brig Soxer, the schooner Bream, 
the bomb-ship Terror, and several transports with 
troops under Colonel Thomas Filkington. A message 
was speedily sent to the fort demanding its instant sur- 
render, and allowing but five minutes for consideration. 
To the brave Putnam this time was more than sufti- 
cient ; and the messenger bore back the reply, — "The 
fort will be defended against any force whatever." 

8. The armed ships were now put in a position for 
attack, while at a httle distance below the viEao-e the 



228 HISTOKT OF MAINE. 18U 

transports landed upwards of one thonsand men, with 
fifty or sixty pieces of artillery. The inhabitants were 
intensely alarmed for their property and famihes ; and 
they besought Major Putnam that he would not expose 
the town to destruction by a hopeless defense. In 
deference to their wishes Putnam surrendered the fort, 
with the condition that his officers should be released 
on parole, and that the property and persons of the 
inhabitants should be secure. 

On taking possession of the place the British found 
in the custom-house nine thousand dollars in United 
States treasury notes, which only lacked the signature 
of the collector to become valid. Promises, threats 
and menaces were all brought to bear on that officer 
to induce him to sign the notes — and thus rob his 
government of so many thousands for the benefit of 
the British ; but the noble man persevered in his refu- 
sal to perform the traitorous act, declaring that 
"Death itself would be no compulsion." 

9. A proclamation was issued announcing that 
the only intention of the British government in the 
present expedition was to take possession of the islands 
of Passamaquoddy Bay, which belonged to it by the 
treaty of 1783; and that the inhabitants of the main- 
land would not be harmed, unless their conduct should 
provoke severities. Having established a custom- 
house of their own, the British now issued another 
proclamation, commanding the citizens to appear and 
take the oath of allegiance to his Britanic Majesty, or 
depart from the islands within seven days. About 
two-thirds of the inhabitants submitted; and the com- 
mander announced that the crown now had its due. 
New batteries were erected, and between forty and 
fifty cannon mounted, and the place was garrisoned 
with about eight hundred troops; then the squadron 
departed southward, spreading alarm along all the 
ooast. A strong party of British soon after marched 
against Eobbinstou, a few miles up the bay on the 



1814 THE WAR OF 1812. 229 

Tnniiiland. This place wus garnsoncd by only twenty- 
Hve men. nnder Lieutenant Manning; who, knowing 
his inability to withstand a siege, destroyed such prop- 
erty as could not be removed, and retired to Machias. 
10. A part of the vessels which had acted against 
Eastport continued to cruise oft' our coast; and one of 
tliem, the Bream, a schooner carrying eight guns, 
greatly harassed Bristol and the neighboring towns. 
At last the citizens met to consider what could bo 
done to rid themselves of tliis troublesome craft; and 
Commodore Tucker was sent for to take lead in the 
business. The old hero was living upon his farm a 
few miles off, and at once answered the request of his 
townsmen by his presence. A wood schooner was 
procured and armed with an old swivel ; and forty -five 
volunteers were quickly on board, armed with mus- 
kets, bayonets, and scythe points bound on poles for 
boarding pikes. After cruising along the coast for 
several days, they discovered an armed vessel in, or 
near, Muscongus Bay. As the vessels approached 
each other the stranger was found to be the schooner 
Crown, a British privateer of six guns. Tucker kept 
most of his men below, so that the enemy should not 
detect his purpose and lire too soon; but when a shot 
came tearing through the sails the men sprang upon 
deck. The commander formed them into platoons, 
directing them, when the order was given, to fire and 
kneel, while another row in the rear fired over their 
heads. The enemy's guns all this time kept banging 
away, the sails of the sloop were riddled beyond re- 
pair, — and not a gun on board of her had yet been 
fired. But tlie commodore had now got his favorite 
position, and in a voice of thunder uttered the word, 
"Fire !" Volley after volley followed from the suc- 
cessive platoons; the crew of the privateer rushed 
below, and every gun was silenced. The captain alone 
remaiiied on deck, lying beside the rudder to steer. 
One of Tucker's men cauglit sight of his head through 
11 



230 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1814 

a port hole, and sent a bullet so close as to knock off 
his hat. The Americans now prepared to board ; and 
a stalwart young fellow six feet and six inches in 
lieight was stationed at the bows with a kedge anchor 
lifted over his back ready to throw on board the 
enemy for a grapple. The vessels neared each other. 
"Commodore, shall I heave ?" shouted the young 
giant with the anchor. The British captain waited 
no longer, but cried out for quarter. The prize was 
found to be full of provisions which had been sent to 
supply the Rattler, a seventy-four gun ship cruising 
somewhere on the coast. The crew, consisting of 
twenty-five persons, were placed in the jail at Wiscas- 
set; while the provisions were distributed among the 
suffering families along the coast. 

* The government had, early in 1808, laid an embargo upon all 
shipping of American ownership in our ports, thus cutting off the 
coast trade as well as foreign commerce. It continued fourteen 
months, depressing business to the lowest point in Maine. In 
March, 1809, the embargo act was rendered nugatory by another 
called the "non-intercourse act," which prohibited commerce with 
France and Great Britain only ; affording at once great relief to 
business. On the 2d of November this, also, ceased to have effect 
against France ; that power having rescinded her obnoxious edicts 
against the United States. 

What causes brought on the war of 1812? "What citizen of 
Maine was made commander-in-chief of the national armies? 
What can you say of Commodore Preble? Give an account of 
the battle of the Enterprise and Boxer. What other brilliant vic- 
tory happened soon after? What effect did the destruction of 
our commerce have upon manufactures? When and where was 
the first attack made on the soil of Maine? What sea-fight 
occurred near Muscongus Bay. 



1814 rruE BRITISH ON THE PENOBSCOT. 231 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

1. The pleasant town of Castine on Penobscot Bay 
has had a varied experience for a place whose history 
is not so old by many years as several others in New 
England. Six different attacks npon it by armed ene- 
mies liave already been recorded in these pages ; wliilc 
it has been held by five different nations. We mnst, 
of course, reckon the Indians as tlie first nation ; after 
whom it was held by the French, Dutch, English and 
Americans. I will now tell you of its seventh and 
last experience of the miseries of war. 

In the year 1814 the village of Castine consisted of 
a few dozen dwellings and stores, a small church, a 
custom house, and, possibly, a court house — for it was 
tlien the sliire town of Hancock county. Its only de- 
fense was a small fortification on the peninsula in such 
position as to command the cliannel of its harbor. 
This was an earth-work in the form of a half moon, 
armed M'ith four 24 pounders and two field-pieces, and 
garrisoned by about forty men, under Lieutenant Lewis. 

On Septeml)er 1st, the garrison and inhabitants Avere 
alarmed l)y the appearance of a British fleet in the 
bay, bearing toward their harbor. About sunrise a 
small schooner ran up near the peninsula, and sent to 
the garrison a summons of surrender. Lewis saw that 
resistance would be useless ; so he gave the schooner 
a volley from his cannon, then si)iked them, blew up 
the redoubt, and departed with his men up the river. 
So the British took possession of tlic place without 
further resistai 
the Penobscot. 



232 HISTORY OF MAINE. 181* 

2. The armament was under the chief command of 
Sir John Sherbrook, and consisted of the 74 gun ships 
Dragon, Spenser and Bulwark, the frigates Bacchante 
and Tenedos, the sloops Sylph and Peruvian, the 
schooner Pictu, a largi^ tender, and ten transports. On 
board these were about four thousand troops, under 
the command of General Gerard Gosselin. 

On the afternoon of the same day, having landed the 
larger portion of the troops, General Gosselin with 
two vessels and six hundred men crossed the bay and 
took possession of Belfast ; while Captain Robert 
Barrie in the Dragon accompanied by the Sylph and 
Peruvian, with a small schooner as tender, and having 
on board about seven hundred troops, ascended the 
river to Marsh Bay, where they remained at anchor 
during the night. In the morning five or six hundred 
troops were landed to take possession of Frankfort, 
whence they were to complete the journey on foot on 
account of unfavorable winds. The Dragon remained 
that night at her anchorage, but the smaller vessels 
proceeded on their way. 

3. Up the river, at Hampden, lay the United States 
corvette John Adams, commanded by Captain Charles 
Morris. The Adams had within three months cap- 
tured of the enemy a ship, two brigs and a schooner, 
and was now undergoing repairs ; and of course the 
British were very desirous of destroying such a troub- 
lesome foe. News of the enemy's arrival flew speedily 
U}) the river ; and on the afternoon of the 1st, General 
Blake of Brewer, commander of the militia, had order- 
ed out his division, and at night was in Hampden to 
make preparations of defense. During the next day 
about five hundred militia had collected, who were soon 
joined by Lieutenant Lewis and his garrison from Cas- 
tine. General Blake with his officers, Captain Morris, 
and the leathng citizens of Hampden held a council 
of war ; but there were such differences of opinion that 
no plan of defense was adopted. Meantime the enemy 



1814 THE BRITISH OX THE PENOBSCOT. 233 

had continued on his course, aud on the evening of the 
2d came to anchor at Bald Hill Cove, nearly two miles 
helow Hanijxlen, where a junction was formed with 
the force which liad marched up the river. 

4. The militia continued under arras all night ; hut 
it was nearly eight o'clock the next morning before the 
Britisli came in view. General Bhike had arranged 
his little army with the right wing near the meeting 
house, the line sti'ctching off toward the hill near the 
river. An 18 pound carronade had been brought from 
the Adams, and with two field pieces, placed in the 
highway near the meeting house — a position com- 
manding the approach from the south. Yet, o^\^ng to 
a diversity of counsel, no breastworks or other defense 
had been erected. The disabled Adams lay at Crosby's 
wharf at the mouth of Soadabscook Creek. Captain 
JMorris had hoisted the cannon from her, and formed a 
battery of fourteen guns upon the wharf, and another 
of nine 18 pounders upon a hill fifty rods below, 
whence they would rake effectually any craft wliich 
might approach. 

5. The morning was very misty, but between seven 
and eight o'clock the skirmishers sent out by General 
Blake to watch and harass the enemy, reported him as 
crossing the stream that divides Hampden corners from 
Hampden. The main body was preceded by a com- 
pany of sharpshooters, while on the flanks were de- 
tachments of marines and sailors with a six-pound 
cannon, a 6 1-2 inch howitzer and a rocket apparatus. 
In front of the hue of militia the fog was still so thick 
that the enemy could not be seen, but the field pieces 
blazed away with good effect ; and the enemy suddenly 
began to advance at "double-quick," firing volleys in 
rapid succession. The miUtia discharged a few rounds 
in return; but, several havhig fallen near the center, 
a panic siezed them, and they broke and fled in every 
direction, leaving the mortified officers alone on the 
field. 



234. HISTORY OF MAINE. 



1814 



6. Meantime the enemy's vessels, preceded by barges 
full of soldiers moved up the stream to support the 
troops, until they were checked by the fire from Mor- 
rises batteries. The retreat of the militia left this 
position unsupported ; and capture could now be avoid- 
ed only by immediate retreat. Therefore, spiking his 
guns and setting his vessel on fire. Captain Morris and 
his men forded the stream, and took the road to Ban- 
gor ; from thence, a few hours later, he departed 
through the wilderness to the Kennebec. 

Within an hour after the attack the town was in 
the hands of the enemy, and the soldiers engaged in 
pillage, A large number of the citizens were placed 
in close confinement, and a bond with the penal sum 
of twelve thousand dollars w^as exacted from the town 
for the dehvery of certain unfinished vessels at Castine 
the next month. When the citizens remonstrated 
with Captain Barrie, the commander of the expedition, 
he answered them, "My business is to sink, burn and 
destroy. Your town is taken by storm, and by the 
rules of war we ought both to lay your village in ashes 
and put its inhabitants to the sword. But 1 will spare 
your lives, though I mean to burn your houses." Prob- 
ably he would have burned them the next day, had 
not a messenger, who had been sent to General Sher- 
brook at Castine, returned with the order to spare if 
possible. 

7. After a brief delay the vessels and troops set 
out for Bangor. It was about noon when the vessels 
came to anchor at the mouth of the Kenduskeag, throw- 
ing a few rockets over the tow^n as a signal to the troops, 
which had marched up the shore. Flags of truce were 
sent to meet the enemy, requesting the security to life 
and property which is customary when no resistance is 
made. This they agreed to give on condition of quar- 
ters and provision for the forces. Therefore the court- 
house, two school-houses, several dwelhugs and other 
buildings were placed at their disposal; cattle were but- 



1814 THE BRITISH OX THE PENOBSCOT. 235 

chered for them, pork and vegetables provided, bread 
was suppb'ed from the bakery, and plenty of liquor- 
furnished, A quantity of merchandise in the custom 
house, tlie money in the post office, and all the arms and 
ammunition they could tind, were seized; while nearly 
all the citizens capable of bearing arms were forced to 
sign themselves prisoners of war. But these were 
released on parole, with the stipulation that they 
should not do military service against his Britannic 
Majesty until the war was over, unless exchanged. 

8. Yet in violation both of the rules of war and 
their own agreement, the soldiers and marines were 
permitted to pillage unrebuked. Twelve stores were 
emptied of most of their contents, and offices and dwell- 
ings forsaken by their owners were searched for valua- 
bles. Towards night the enemy threatened to burn 
several vessels which were on the stocks, and the op- 
pressed inhabitants were quite in despair ; for, as the 
wind then was, the flames would have swept the village. 
Tlierefore, to save their homes, the selectmen were 
forced to give a bond for thirty thousand dollars, or the 
delivery of the unfinished vessels at Castine by the end 
of October. That night was to the inhabitants a period 
of fearful suspense ; for they knew not what cruelty 
might next be attempted. However, the British with- 
drew on the following day without any worse acts than 
supplying themselves with horses, and taking ofl* ves- 
sels and goods to the value of about twenty-three thou- 
sand dollars. Some of the vessels ran aground in going 
down the river, and were at night abandoned and set 
on fire — their flames lighting up the shores for several 
miles. 

9. In passing Hampden the enemy again engaged 
in pillage ; but the imprisoned citizens were mostly set 
at hberty. Captain Morrises guns were thrown into 
the river, and the enemy departed; having secured 
two merchant vessels with valuable cargoes and other 
property to the amount of forty-fom- thousand dollars. 



236 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1814 

The people on the Kennebec were greatly alarmed 
by the ravages on the neighboring river, and prepared 
to give the British a warm reception, should their towns 
receive a visit. Major General King ordered out the 
militia ; and Wiscasset, which was appointed as the 
rendezvous, was soon full of soldiers. One zealous 
detachment even marched over to the Penobscot to 
harass the enemy's vessels as they returned. But the 
British discovered them, and bound at prominent points 
on the decks several citizens from the towns above, so 
that none dared fire for fear of wounding their coun- 
trymen ; and the ships passed by unharmed, while the 
mihtia-men marched angrily back to camp. 

10. Proclamations were now issued by the enemy 
proclaiming the country between Penobscot Biver 
and Passamaquoddy Ba}^ to be a province of Great 
Britain, and promising protection to the citizens if they 
would take the oath of allegiance and be faithful sub- 
jects of tlie king. I am happy to know that very few 
of the inhabitants would make any such agreement. 
General Gosselin was instituted governor of the new 
province ; and the larger portion of the enemy's force 
now set out on other enterprises. 

The tirst destination of the squadron proved to be 
Machias. There was liere a fort mounting ten 24 
pounders, and garrisoned at this time by about one 
hundi-ed men, including several of the militia, and the 
garrison which had a short time before escaped from 
liobbinston. After landing the troops at Bucks' Har- 
bor, the vessels ascended the river and opened a heavy 
fire on the fort, covering the advance of the land force, 
which was to make an attack in the rear. Finding 
they were hkely to be surrounded, the garrison des- 
troyed the guns, set the barracks on fire, and evacuated 
the fort. 

11. A few days later a party of the enemy were 
sent to Frankfort to secure whatever arms and mer 
chandise they could find. Before they got away, the 



1814 TUE BRITISH 01^ THE PENOBSCOT. 237 

garrison from Machias reached tlie place and captured 
the whole of them. 

There ensued a great deal of smuggling between 
the American and British lines, wliich were divided 
hy the Penobscot, now under control of the enemy. 
The British wanted cattle and provision of all kinds 
for the troops, and our oak, pine and lumber to build 
vessels on the Bay of Fundy, or to transport across 
the sea ; while our people needed the clothing, sugar, 
molasses and utensils which merchantmen brought 
into Castine. Our custom-house officers watched the 
river as well as they could, yet great quantities of goods 
were brought across, particularly in the winter when 
the river was frozen ; and many found their w^ay even 
as far as Massachusetts, Tlie British did not care how 
much the American government lost on imports ; so 
they took a five per cent toll on the goods, and let 
smuggling go on. Neutral vessels were constantly in 
the river, particularly the Swedish ; but these honora- 
bly paid their dues at the custom-house. Such was 
the extent of trade on the river at this time that one 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars were said to have 
been secured at Hampden for duties in five weeks. 

12. On December 24th, 1814, a treaty of peace 
between Great Britain and the United States was 
signed at Ghent ; but before the news had reached 
this country General Jackson had won his famous vic- 
tory at New Orleans, After this there were no further 
de})redations in Maiue, and most of the points tliey 
had held were soon deserted by the enemy — Castine 
being retained till the last. 

During its occupation l>y the British, Castine was 
the center of considerable business ; of which, how- 
ever, the larger part fell into British or Tory hands. 
It was also a place of much gayety and amusement; 
for, beside the balls, a theatre was maintained through 
the winter by the ofiicers — many of wliom were men 
of culture and courtesy. The British evacuated the 



238 HISTORY OF MAINE. l^ll 

city in April, having held possession for eight months 
— during wliich time the inhabitants had suffered much 
inconvenience and oppression; and the restoration of 
their hberty and property was celebrated with thanks- 
giving and festivity. 

How many uatious have held possession of Castine ? By whom 
was it captm-ecl in 1814 ? What successful war vessel lay at Hamp- 
den ? About how many troojjs were in the engagement at this 
place ? What amount of spoil did the British obtain ? What was 
done at Bangor ? What was done on the Kennebec ? What terri- 
tory did the British claim ? What happened at Machias ? What 
can you state of commerce on the Penobscot at this period ? 
What treaty was signed just before Jackson's victory at New 
Orleans ? 



CHAPTER XXX. 

1. "When the war was over there was soon found 
to be a great increase of profanity, Sabbath-breaking, 
and intemperance. Thoughtful people were shocked 
at its extent, and the safety and comfort of the com- 
munity were seriously diminished. It was chiefly the 
dismissal of the mihtia from active service in the Dis- 
trict, and the return of the soldiers from the national 
army, wliich had produced this dangerous and disa- 
greeable condition of morals; for men are often made 
dissolute by the idle life of camps, especially when 
discipline is loose and intoxicating liquors freely dis- 
pensed. 

This state of society stimulated the religious associa- 
tions to more earnest effort for the good of souls; 



1817 SEPAKATION AND ATTENDANT EV11.NTS. 239 

Bocioties were formed to distribute the Iluly Scrip- 
tures, and Sunday Schools were estabhshed for in- 
structing the children of ignorant, careless, or vicious 
parents, in the important truths of the Bible. On the 
part of the government, the General Court made a 
new law against the profanation of tlie Sabbath, and 
appointed a great number of tjthingmen to enforce 
the law and secure a decent behaviour on that sacred 
day. 

2. Other misfortunes came with the close of tiie 
war. Manufacturing being at that time done much 
cheaper in England tlum Amej-ica, our stores soon 
became stocked with British goods; and many of our 
factories, being unable to sell their products, were 
obhged to stop — by which many people were tlu-own 
out of employment and much cajjital lost. People 
became i^estless, and many thought any other business 
or any other State was better than their own. 

Some of our citizens had already invested money in 
lands in Ohio, and liked there so well that they wished 
then* friends to join them. The winter of 1816-17 
was unusually cold, the spring was backward — and the 
season was so unproductive that this year was long after 
familiarly known as "eighteen hundred and starve 
to death". All classes, particularly fjirmers and me- 
chanics, became much discouraged. Then the friends 
of the Ohio people who had lands to sell told attrac- 
tive stories of the mild climate and rich soils of Ohio 
and Kentucky; and the "Oliio fever" set in with vio- 
lence. It is beUeved that from ten to fifteen thousand 
people emigrated from Maine to those States — many 
BcUing their property at a great loss. But the very 
next year some of the emigrants returned with the 
other side of the story; and it is reckoned that after 
this the number that emigrated scarcely equalled 
those who returned. The tide of Inisiness, also, had 
turned; and in a few years the State again became 
prosperous. 



240 mSTORY OF MAINE. 1819 

3. Maine possessed many attractions in its soil, 
mill sites, forests and tisheries; aceordiugiy we find 
that in 1820, the year of the separation, it had nine 
counties, and two hundred and thirty-six towns; while 
its population was 298,335 — an increase of nearly 
70,000 within the last ten years. Business was flour- 
ishing; and with such a population and so many 
towns and counties, it is not strange that the District 
aspired to become a State. This measure had been 
agitated as early as 1785; and several conventions 
had been held in its interest — one at Brunswick in 
1816 fell but little short of accomplishing its object. 
In 1819, instead of one newspaper, as at the first at- 
tempt, there were six, three of which favored separa- 
tion from Massachusetts, while the other three opposed. 
At last seventy towns joined in a petition to the Gen- 
eral Com-t ; and, this time, a bill favoring the measure 
was passed by a handsome majority. Its conditions 
were that all the public lands and buildings in Maine, 
except such as were the property of the United States, 
should be equally divided between the proposed State 
and Massachusetts. Maine was also to have her pro- 
portion of the mihtary stock, and one-tliird of all 
moneys which might be reimbursed by the general gov- 
ernment for war expenses. 

4. On the fourth Monday in July, 1819, the citi- 
zens of the District of Maine voted on this question: — 
"Is it expedient that the District shall become a sepa- 
rate and independent State, upon the terms and con- 
ditions provided in an act relating to the separation 
of the District of Maine from Massachusetts proper, 
and forming the same into a separate and independent 
State?" On counting the votes, above two-tlurds 
were found to be in favor of separation; therefore 
delegates from the towns met at the court-house in 
Portland, and adopted a constitution ; appointing the 
first Monday in December as the day for the towns to 
vote for or against the constitution. On the first 



1820 SEPARATION AND ATTENDANT EVENTS. 241 

Wednesday of January, 1820, the delegates again 
met; and, lindiug the constitution to have been adopt- 
ed, made apphcation to Congress for admission into 
tlie Union. 

5. But now an unexpected obstacle came iu the 
way of our independence. This obstacle was slavery 
— l)ut not slavery in Maine. The territory of Mis- 
souri had apphed for admittance at the same time; 
and, liaving many slaves, she wished to get in witliout 
any conditions against slavery. So the supporters of 
that institution, with cliaracteristic craftiiu^ss, coupled 
the Territory and the District, and brought tliem be- 
fore Congress in the same bill, that each miglit share 
tlie other's fate. Many \veeks passed, but still this 
clog upon Maine held her back, so tluit she could not 
take her place in the sisterhood of States. The act 
severing the connection of the District from Massa- 
chusetts was to go into effect on the lifteenth of 
March; after whicli time, unless admitted previously, 
Maine would be simply a territory. The first of 
March had come, and still the slave power clung to 
her in close embrace. At length the friends of the 
District succeeded in divorcing the two apphcants; 
and on the third of March the District became the 
twenty-second State of the Union. 

6. The election for State otficers was held for the 
first time on the first Monday of April, 1820; and on 
the last Wednesday of May the new senators and rep- 
resentatives met at Portland. On counting tlie votes 
for governor it was found that General William lung 
of Bath was elected without opposition, 

Mr. King was born in Scarborougli in 1768. Not hav 
ing been favored with a liberal education, on reaching 
the years of manhood he engaged in a saw mill in Tops- 
ham. Being prosperous he was able a few years later in 
connection with his brother-in-law to open a store in the 
same town. lie afterward removed to Bath, where he 
resided until his death. He was the most prominent 



242 HISTOET OF MAINE. '821 




GOVEKNOK WILLIAM KING. 

of our citizens in bringing about the separation of tl\e 
District from Massachusetts ; and. as we have ah-eady 
seen, was thought altogether tlie most suitable person 
for governor. Indeed, he has since often been spoken 
of as "the first and best of our governors." In 1821, 
before the close of his first term, he resigned the office; 
having been appointed one of the commissioners of 
the general govciniment on the Spanish claims; and 
the president of the Senate, Wilham D, Wilh'amson, 
afterward the author of a valuable history of the State, 
became acting governor for the remainder of the term. 
7. Among the first acts of the first session of the 
Legislature, was the adoption of a State seal. The 
moose and the mast pine, those princes of the forest, 
were chosen for the central figures of the design. At 
one side was an anchor, on the other a scythe, emble- 
matic of the occupations of our people; while above 
was the North Star, signifying the place of Maine in 
the constellation of States. These, with the motto, 



1821 SEPARATION AND ATTENDANT EVENTS. 243 

D'lrigo (I lead), and two figures representing a farmer 
and a sailor, form tlie seal now in use by our State 
government. There was also an act for the improve- 
ment of public schools, another for the incorporation 
of religious societies, and one for the regulation of 
lotteries; for the latter had already been found to 
work much harm. A charter was also granted for a 
second college in Maine, to be called Waterville Col- 
lege — now changed to Colby University. It had 
first been started in 1813, under the name of "Maine 
Literary and Theological School". The General 
Court of Massachusetts quite unwillingly gave it a 
township (now the towns of Alton and Argyle) on the 
west side of the Penobscot River, fifteen miles above 
Bangor; enacting that the institution should be located 
within the township. This seemed very unfair; for it 
was even beyond the limits of the common school — 
where bears and wolves were much plentier than boys 
and gu-ls. It was a Baptist institution; and one of 
its presidents has well compared it, during that strug- 
ghng period, to "the voice of one crying in the wil- 
derness." 

8. The Congregationalists and Baptists now had 
each a literary institution and theological school; and 
in the year 1825 the Methodists estabhshed at Read- 
field a classical and theological school, under the name 
of "Maine Wesleyan Seminary". A theological semi- 
nary of the Congregationahsts had been estabhshed in 
Bangor in 1814, under the name of "Maine Charity 
School"; and tliis is stiU the only exclusively theo- 
logical school in the State. 

At the time of the separation there were already 
nine religious denominations in Maine — the Roman 
Catliulics, Episcopalians, Presiiyterians, Congrega- 
tiuu:dists, Baptists, Methodists, Friends, Universalists, 
and Shal-cers. The sound of the churcli bell was as 
yet lieard in l)ut two or three towns; while organs in 
religious worship, and pianos at home had not ceased 



244 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^20 

to be wonders in tlie largest cities of the land. Yet 
we had at this time witliin our own borders, twelve 
missionary and education societies, nine Bible socie- 
ties, nine charitable societies, a Grand Chapter of Ma- 
sons, four Arch Chapters and thirty-three Lodges. 
The first Masonic Lodge in Maine was instituted in 
Portland m the year 1769; and the Grand Lodge of 
Maine was estabhshed at the same place dm'ing the 
first session of our State Legislature. 

9. There were also in the State at this time 1,768 
mechanical workshops, a great number of shipyards, 
248 tanneries, 85 potash works, 524 gristmills, 746 
sawmills, 210 carding machines, 149 fulling mills, and 
17 spinning machines. Passing from the trades to 
cattle, we find that Maine had 17,849 horses, 48,224 
horned cattle, and 66,639 swine. 

When one has a horse now-a-days he has usually a 
carriage of two or four wheels, either open or covered, 
for pleasure riding; but some may be surprised to 
learn that before the Revolution there was not a four- 
wheeled passenger carriage in Maine. Two-wheeled 
chaises came into use in Portland in 1760, but they 
were kept by their owners like the Sunday dress, to 
be displayed only on gala-days. The first four-wheeled 
carriage ever seen in Augusta was built about the 
year 1800; while in 1798 two two-wheeled chaises 
were the first and only pleasure vehicles in that town. 

10. Men and women made their journeys on horse- 
back; and pillions for ladies' seats, and horse-blocks 
to aid tliem in mounting, were very common objects. 
On a Sunday morning the road to church must have 
presented a lively scene, with the groups and scattered 
files of foot people among the prancing steeds, bestrode 
by husband, father or brother, while about his waist 
twined the arm of fail- maiden or stately dame, who 
sat on the pilhon beliiud him. The people of that 
day minded little the few miles between them and the 
meeting or the market ; and there are ladies still livhi": 



1823 SEPAKATIOX AND ATTENDANT EVENTS. 245 

who could tell wonder-waking stories of their ex- 
ploits of travel. It was thought a great enterprise 
when, in 1787, a coach was put upon the hne between 
Portland and Portsmoutli, for conveying the mails 
and for the accommodation of travelers. In 1806 the 
line was extended to Augusta, and in 1810 to Farm- 
iugton. The western stage in the latter year started 
fnnn Augusta early enough in the morning for the 
passengers to breakfast at Brunswick, dine at Free- 
port, and lodge at Portland. The next day their 
breakfast was taken at Kenncbunk, dinner at Ports- 
mouth, and their lodging at Newburyport. At two 
o'clock in the morning they started again ; reaching 
Salem at dayhght, and getting into Boston before 
noon. Mail routes and stages were from tliis time 
rapidly extended over the State ; and with them comi- 
try taverns multiphed and flourished exceedingly. 

11. In July, 1823, a great event happened at Port- 
land ; nothing less than tlie arrival in the harbor of 
the flrst steamboat ever brought to Maine. This was 
the Patent, a vessel of about one hundred tons bur- 
then, owned by Captain Seward Porter, of Portland, 
who had l)ought her in New York to run as a passen- 
ger boat between Portland and Boston. Captain 
Porter had in 1822 placed an old engine in a flat 
bottom boat, which he ran to North Yarmouth and 
the islands of Casco Bay. This he named "Kenne- 
bec," but the people called it the "Horned Hog." In 
August, 1823, the "Kennel )ec Steam Navigation Com- 
pany" was formed. This company bought the Patent, 
and also built at Bath a little vessel called the Water- 
ville, which commenced runm'ng on the river in April, 
182-1. The next year the Maine, of al)out one hundred 
and Ave tons, was fltted out at Bath by the same com- 
pany. It ran between Bath and Eastport, calling at 
Belfast and Castine. The steamer Eagle, a British 
boat, was running between Eastport and St. John; 
thus completing a coast Hne of steamers from the Bay 



246 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1825 

of Fundy to the Gulf of Mexico. In 1825 tlie Water- 
viUe had the honor of conveying the nation's guest, 
the noble Lafayette, who at that time made a brief visit 
to Augusta. These boats in the course of a few years 
were succeeded by various others, built at home or pur- 
chased abroad ; and among the latter, in 1833, came 
the Chancellor Livingston, built under the direction 
of Robert Fulton, the father of steam navigation. 

What caused a depression in business soon after the close of the 
•war ? Whither did many of the people of Maine emigrate ? 
What was the population of Maine in 1820 ? For what did our 
people vote in 1819 ? What delayed the admission of Maine into 
the Union ? When did the admission take place ? Who was 
elected first governor ? What college was chartered by the first 
legislature ? State what religious societies and other organizations 
existed in Maine at this time. At what date were mail coaches 
first used in this State? What happened in Portland in 1823? 
What distinguished foreigner visited Maine in 1825 ? 



1827 AFFAIRS AFTER THE SEPARATION. 247 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

1. Albion K. Parris, elected second governor of 
Miiino, took his seat at the opening of the year 1822. 
lie was a native of Hebron, in this State, where he 
Avorked on his father's tarni until he was fourteen years 
of age. A year later he entered Harvard College, 
and graduated in due course. In 1809 he was admit- 
ted to the bar, commencing practice at Paris, in Oxford 
county. At the age of twenty-eight he was elected 
Representative in Congress, at thirty he was appointed 
judge of the United States District Court, and was 
but thirty-three years old when he became governor; 
and he held the office for iive consecutive years. The 
attainment of such high honors at so early an age is 
unusual. In looking for the cause of his popularity 
WG lind that he was without brilhant talents ; and that 
the secret of his success lay in his industry and close 
attention to the duties of every office coniided to him — 
in liis promptness, tideUty, sagacity, and liis uniibrndy 
courteous manners. 

2. Governor Parris was, in 1827, succeeded by 
Enoch Lincoln ; who had also been his successor in 
legal practice at Paris, and as representative in Con- 
gress. Mr. Lincoln was a popular and upright chief 
magistrate ; and his messages and other conmuinica- 
tions were noted for their suggestiveness, point, brevity 
and good taste. He died near the close of his third 
term, being the only one of our governors who has 
died in that office. 

In the term of his successor, Jonathan G. Iluuton, 
of Readiield, w^as opened the oidy considerable canal 
in the State, by which Sebago pond was connected 
with Casco Bay. Li 1831 Samuel E. Smith, of AVis- 



248 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^27 

casset, assumed the gubernatorial chair, to which he 
was annually re-elected until 1834. 

3. The matter of our northern boundary had 
attracted the attention of the State government very 
soon after the separation ; and, during the term of 
Governor Lincoln, Maine took the stand which she 
afterward maintained upon the question. The United 
States and Great Britain, being unable to agree as 
to the location of the boundary hne described in the 
treaty of 1783, at length referred the matter to the 
king of the l^Jetherlands ; who, in 1831, rendered 
his award. But histead of determining what, by a 
fair construction of the treaty, was the true boundary 
line — which was the question submitted — he declared 
that the line ought to extend north from the source of 
the St. Croix river, to the middle of the channel of 
the St. John's, thence to the St. Francis, at the extreme 
north, and through the middle of that river to the 
source of its southwest branch. This was a singular 
departure from the plain language of the treaty, which 
as my readers will have observed, placed the line upon 
a ridge of highlands — not in the bed of a river ; and 
the decision of the umpire, of course, made the people 
of Maine very indignant. Yet this boundary certainly 
had the advantage of being more definite than that of 
the treaty. Then followed a lengthy correspondence 
upon the question between Governor Smith and the 
authorities at Washington ; and the latter, being desir- 
ous of accepting the award, offered to reimburse the 
State by money or land equivalent to the territory 
lost. But the Madawaska settlements had at this time 
a representative in the legislature ; and Maine took 
the ground that she could not in honor relegate her 
inhabitants to Great Britain; therefore the award was 
repudiated, 

4. Another event of importance during Governor 
Smith's term was the removal of the seat of govern- 
ment from Portland to Augusta. The legislature held 



1837 AFFAIRS AFTEFt THE SEPARATION. 249 

its first session in the State ITonse in 1832. Tlit build 
ing and fnrniture had cost ahttle more tlian $12£,000 ; 
about half of wliich was paid by the proceeds from the 
sale of ten townships of land. The architect was 
Charles Bidfinch of Boston ; and the external design 
M'as a reduced i)lan of St. Peter's Church, at Rome. 
Few who approach tlie capitol fail to perceive its ele- 
gance ; and, although not faultless, it is certainly a 
noble specimen of architecture. Constructed of the 
beautiful granite of the neighborhood, its massive 
foundation seems but a part of the fine eminence upon 
which it rests ; and the great Doric pillars of the 
front, each a solid shaft of the same fair stone, can 
hardly fail to give an impression of grandeur. 

In 1834, Robert P. Dunlap of Brunswick suc- 
ceeded to the chief magistracy; and, by re-elections, 
held that position for four years. The chief measures 
for the benefit of tlie State during his term were the 
foundation of an asylum for the insane, and our first 
scientific survey. 

5. In the month of June, 1837, an officer of Maine, 
wliile taking a census of the Madawaska settlements, 
was arri'sted by order of the governor of New Briuis- 
wick, and conveyed to Fredcricton on a charge of 
exciting sedition. These settlements were on the St. 
John's river, at the extreme north-eastern part of the 
State, and within the limits of the treaty of 1783 — by 
which Great Britain acknowledged our independence. 
The officer had acted with entire ])ropriety ; and the 
British authorities simply meant to show that Maine 
would no longer be permitted to exercise authority in 
this region. The claim of that government extended 
southward nearly to the forty-sixtli pai-allel of latitude ; 
which, if allowed, would rob Maine of about one-third 
of her territory. Governor Dunlap innnediatoly issued 
a general order declaring the State to be invaded by 
a foreign power, and notifying the militia to hold them- 
selves in readiness for mihtary service. But as no 



250 HISTORY OF MAINE. ^^37 

other act of hostility occurred, and the ffficer was 
released on parole, further hostile acts were, for the 
present, averted. Some attempts at revolt against 
British rule had already occurred in Lower Canada, 
and all through the season independent bands com- 
posed of Americans and outlawed Canadians hung 
about the great lakes; and in some disturbances at 
Navy Island in Niagara River, the American steam- 
er Carohne was burned by the British, and a num- 
ber of persons killed, among whom was one or 
more American citizens. This also occasioned some 
altercation between the governments; and there was 
good reason to apprehend another war from the boun- 
dary disputes and these repeated breaches of the 
peace. In the autumn of this year, therefore, the na- 
tional goverinnent completed the military road in 
north-eastern Maine, making a continuous line from 
Bangor to the Madawaska settlements, in readiness 
for possible events. 

6. In the term of Governor Dunlap also occurred 
the first conflict of Maine with the slave power. It 
was caused l)y the escape of two slaves from the State 
of Georgia in a Maine vessel. The governor of that 
State sent a requisition upon the executive of Maine 
for the master of the vessel; but, as it appeared that 
the negroes had concealed themselves on board un- 
known to the captain. Governor Dunlap refused the 
requisition. In 1838 Edward Kent of Bangor suc- 
ceeded Mr. Dunlap as governor. He, also, refused to 
yield up the shipmaster ; therefore Georgia, in retalia- 
tion, put all Maine vessels visiting her ports under 
peculiar restrictions, contrary to the constitution of 
the United States. 

Another event connected with national politics in 
wdiich Maine was deeply concerned, also occurred in 
the term of Governor Kent. This was the death of 
om- representative in Congress from the Lincoln dis- 
trict, Hon. Jonathan Cilley, in a duel with Mr. Graves, 



1838 AFFAIFtS AFTER THE SEPARATION". 251 

a member of the House of Representatives from 
Kentucky. There was no personal enmity between 
the two men; but some words used by Mr. Cilley in 
debate reflected upon the editor of a New York pohti- 
cal journal, a friend of Mr. Graves, who espoused his 
cause. Mr. Cilley reluctantly accepted his challenge; 
and they fought with ritles at a distance of seventy 
yards. Three times the men had tired at each other 
without eti'ect, when Cilley's friends endeavored to 
reconcile the combatants; but the seconds of Graves 
rc[)ulsed all efforts for a bloodless settlement, and the 
conflict was resumed. Cilley fell at the next tire, and 
expired instantly. 

7. This duel M^as rememl)ered in Maine with much 
bitterness. The principal blame fell upon the poh'tical 
friends of Graves; but the latter soon retired from 
Congress, and years after was reported to be still a 
very \mhap]>y man. 

In home affairs this year the events of note were 
the formation of Franklin and Piscataquis counties, 
and the completion of the tirst scientific survey, begun 
in 1836. A large portion of the work in the Aroos- 
took region was done in the tirst year by Dr. Ezekiel 
Holmes, under the direction of tlie governor, with 
special reference to the ])Oundary claims. Dr. Holmes 
was a great benefactor of the agricultural interests 
of the State, in the promotion of which he had already 
made his intiuence felt. The survey in other parts 
was in charge of Dr. Charles T. Jackson of Massa- 
chusetts; who, with liis assistants, visited nearly every 
river and mountain in the State. Attention was thus 
called to our valuable mines of ore and quarries of 
hmestone and slate; and a cabinet of ICOO mineral 
and geological specimens was collected, which is now 
to be seen in the State House at Ausxusta. 



hal important question began to occupy the attention of Afaine 
after the separation ? To whom was this question referred 



What important 
soon 



252 HISTOKY OF MAINE. 1839 

for decision ? Was the award accepted or rejected? In what 
year was the seat of government removed to Augusta ? Where 
are the Madawaska settlements ? How far south did the British 
claim possession of Maine? What disturbances happened in 1837 ? 
What difficulty occurred between Maine and Georgia ? What con- 
gressman from this State fell in a duel ? In what year did the first 
Bcientific survey of Maine begin ? 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

1. In 1839 Mr. Kent was succeeded as governor 
by John Fairfield, of Saco. Scarcely had the latter 
taken his seat when hostilities began in Aroostook 
between intruders from the British Provinces and the 
civil authorities of Maine. Early in February a dep- 
uty of the land agent reported to the governor that a 
large number of lumbermen from New Brunswick 
were engaged in robbing the disputed territory of its 
best timber ; whereupon Slieriif Strickland, of Penob- 
scot county, was ordered to aid Land Agent Mclntire 
in dislodging the trespassers. With a posse of about 
two hundred men the officers proceeded to the Aroos- 
took for this purpose. The trespassers, having got 
news of this movement, supplied themselves witli arms 
from the Province arsenal at Woodstock, and prepared 
to maintain their ground. There were near three 
hundred of them ; but when they found the sheriff had 
a six pound cannon, they concluded to retire. The 
land agent followed them down the river, capturing 
about twenty men, who had been at work further up 
the stream. The posse encamped for the night on 
the Aroostook River at the mouth of the Little Mada- 



1839 THE AROOSTOOK WAR. 253 

wuska, while Land Ag-ciit Mclntire, with four com- 
panions, vtpairt'd to a house about four miles down 
tlic river, under au appointment to meet Mr. Mc- 
Laughlin, the warden of the British in the disputed 
territory. The trespassers somehow learned the situa- 
tion of the land agent; and during the night about 
forty of them made a descent upon his lodgings, and 
made him and his company prisoners. They w^ere tak- 
en on an ox-sled to Woodstock, where they were turned 
over to the civil authorities, who conveyed them to 
Fredericton jail. Early the next morning the sheriff's 
force learned of this capture, and at once retired to 
Kumber Ten, where they fortified themselves in ex- 
pectation of an attack. But the sheriff liimself started 
for Augusta as fast as relays of galloping horses would 
carry him. lie reached Bangor the next day, having 
accomplished witliin the time the surprising distance 
of above one hundred and twenty miles. 

2. Governor Uarvey of New Brunswick now issued 
a proclamation ordering the arms which had been ille- 
gally taken from the arsenal to be restored; and de- 
claring that hostile invasion would be repelled by the 
civil authority. lie also ordered a draft from the 
militia for innnediate service. When the news of 
these events reached Augusta, the people began to see 
that the matter was growing serious, though at first it 
had been made a subject of ridicule; and on Sunday 
a company of fifty volunteers set out from that place 
for the scene of conflict. A messenger was sent by 
the governor to AVashington; and 1,000 men of the 
Eastern Division of the militia were ordered out. That 
night a message was received from Governor Harvey 
demanding the recall of the State forces from the 
Aroostook, and announcing that he was instructed by 
liis government to hold exclusive jurisdiction over the 
territor}' in dispute, and that he should do so by mili- 
tary force. On Monday these facts were laid before 
the legislature, which inmicdiately passed a resolve to 



254 niSTOEY OF MAINE. 1839 

protect the public lands, and appropriated $800,000 
to carry it into effect. The next day the governor 
ordered a draft of 10,000 men from the militia, to be 
held in immediate readiness for service. 

3. Meanwhile New Brunswick was marshalling her 
forces, and our own w-ere sent forward as rapidly as 
possible. Our chief towns were filled with the sounds 
of war from the passage of troops, or the repair of 
decayed defenses. Early in March the national house 
of representatives passed a bill justil'ying tlie action 
of Maine in repelling the invasion of her soil. They 
also authorized the president, in case the governor of 
New Brunswick proceeded to carry out his threat of 
maintaining exclusive jurisdiction, to raise 50,000 vol- 
unteers for a term of six months — appropriating $10,- 
000,000 to defray the expense. On the 6th of March 
General Scott with his staff arrived at Augusta, an- 
nouncing that he was " specially charged with main- 
taining the peace and safety of the entu-e northern and 
eastern frontiers." 

Our troops were now well on their way toward the 
Aroostook. The sheriff's force, having been increased 
by volunteers from Bangor and other towns to the 
number of about 600, again moved down the river. 
They captured a number of ox-teams, their drivers, 
and McLaughlin, the British land warden; but so 
little opposition was discovered that it was concluded 
that, for the present, the British had abandoned the 
river. 

4. Immediately on his arrival General Scott open- 
ed negotiations with Sir John Harvey of New Bruns- 
wick, and Governor Fairfield of Maine ; and presently 
the former gentleman was led to declare that, under 
expectation of tlie peaceful settlement of the question 
between the two nations, it was not his intention, 
without renewed instructions, to take military posses- 
sion of the territory, or seek to expel therefrom the 
civil poBse or the troops of Maine; while Governor 



1839 THE AROOSTOOK WAR. 256 

Fairfield was, in turn, invited to declare that lie sliould 
not, without renewed instructions from the legislature, 
attempt l:)y armed force to disturb the Province in its 
possession of the Madawaska settlements, or to inter- 
rupt the usual communication between New Bruns- 
wick and Canada; and that the troops should be with- 
drawn, leaving; only a civil posse to protect the timber 
from further depredations. Presently the prisoners 
on both sides were set at lil)erty; and in a few weeks 
the trooi^s were dismissed and returned to their homes 
rejoicing. Thus ended the bloodless Aroostook war. 
The promptness with which our forces were put upon 
the ground gave us an advantage in the situation, 
wln'ch, no doubt, had nmch influence in the negotiation 
by which the peaceful arrangement of the difficulty 
was so easily brought about. General Scott soon de- 
parted; and for a long time after the good people of 
Maine humorously styled him the "Great Paciflcator." 

The Aroostook region, being now freed from inva- 
ders, was in March erected into a county, having been 
previously included in Penobscot and Washington. 

5. Two years i)assed away, and still the boundary 
of the State renuiined unsettled, though the question 
continued to be discussed by the two governments. 
On the accession of William Henry Harrison to the pre- 
sidency, in 1841, Daniel AVebster became his Secretary 
of State. The boundary question and its connected 
disturbances had now come to a crisis ; and the new sec- 
retary took hold of the question M'ith vigor. A month 
after his inauguration President Harrison died, and 
was succeeded by the Vice-President, John Tyler. 
Yet it Avas thought of so much importance that the 
matter should be brought to a conclusion by Mr. 
Webster that, though differing in politics with Mr. 
Tyler, he still continued to till the office of secretary. 

In the spring of 184:2 arrived the new minister from 
England, Lord Ashburton, accredited with powers to 
form a new treaty in settlement of the boundary diffi- 



256 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1^42 

culties. An extra session of tlie legislature of Maine 
was called on the 18tli of May, for the purpose of 
choosing commissioners to confer with Lord Ashbur- 
ton and Secretary Webster upon this subject. On 
the 22d of July the commissioners sent in their ad- 
hesion to the line agreed upon between the Minister 
and Secretary. As in the award of the Idng of the 
Netherlands, this line extended north from the source 
of the St. Croix River to the St. John's, and along 
the middle of this river to the St. Francis at the ex- 
treme north, and through the middle of that river to 
the source of its southwest branch. From this point, 
instead of following the highlands which divide the 
waters falling into the St. Lawrence from those empty- 
ing into the Atlantic ocean, it went in a straight line 
southwesterly, with but one angle, to the southwestern 
branch of the River St. John, Avhence it continued in 
an irregular line between the waters, as in the former 
treaty. We were also secured in the free navigation 
of the St. John's throughout its length. 

6. By the change in the boundary we lost a con- 
si deralde tract; a large portion of this, however, was 
of little value to us either from its position or the 
quality of its soil. The inhabitants on the north of 
the St. John's had for some years ceased to send any 
representative to the legislature of Maine; conse- 
quently our government felt little hesitation in yield- 
ing these settlers to the government of their choice. 
For the territory surrendered from Maine, the United 
States received tracts of much greater value to the 
nation on Lakes Champlain and Superior. To recom- 
pense Maine for this loss of territory, she received from 
the general government $150,000; Massachusetts also 
re(;ei^'ing the like sum, as she was still the owner, by 
agreement at the separation, of one half the public 
lands in Maine. Maine also received $200,000 to 
i-ehnburse her expenses in the boundary disturbances. 
This treaty was ratitied by the Senate of the United 



1842 SETTLEMENT OF BOUNDARIES. 257 

States oil the 20tli of August, 1842, and the exact 
limits of Maine were thereby definitely and finally 
settled. 

7. In 1841 Edward Kent again occupied the guber- 
natorial chair ; but in 1842 lie was for the second time 
succeeded by Governor Fairfield, who, therefore, has 
the honor of having guided Maine through the most 
criiical period of her history. 

With these events closes the formative period of 
our State : all disputed questions between her and 
other States were put to rest ; the form of her po- 
litical organization had been decided ; and she was 
now free to pursue plans for the development of the 
wealth contained in her soil, the utilization of her 
immense water power, and the extension of her com- 
merce. 

8. Within half a dozen years preceding 1842 we 
may note also the first stirrings of those important 
movements whose beneficial character has since been 
realized in our State and nation. During the term 
of Governor Dunlap the subject of humane institu- 
tions was urged, especially the establishment of an 
insane asylum ; in 1836 our first scientific survey was 
begun, and our first railroad charter granted. In 
1887 occurred our only special conflict with slavery ; 
while in 1841 was commenced that energetic and 
beneticent movement against the use of intoxicating 
liquors, which at length culminated in the prohibi- 
tory laws. 

What disturbances occurred in Aroostook in 1839 ? What mes- 
sage did Sir John Harvey send totlie governor of Maine ? What 
captures VFcre made by eacli party ? What was the action of 
Congress on this matter ? What \vas tlic mission of General 
Scott? What Avas its result? liy what treaty and in wha!, 
year was our boundary finally settled ? Oivo the liMutidaries as 
deiined by this treaty." What compt'usations did Maini> receive ? 
Who was governor' of Maine at the time of the disturbances 
and of the treaty ? Of what period in our history do these 
events mark the close ? 



258 THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. 1813 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

1. The abuse of alcoholic liquors had at this time 
become so great that its effects were everywhere 
traceable in ruinous dwellings and neglected farms, in 
coarse manners, and in the prevalence of vice in all 
classes of societ}^ and in all the states of the American 
Union. The pressing need of reform in drinking 
customs had, in 1813, induced the formation of the 
Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intem- 
perance, in which Maine participated. This led to 
the formation in Boston in 1826, of the American 
Temperance Society, in whose platform of principles 
distilled liquors were prohibited. In 1833 the Massa- 
chusetts Society adopted a new constitution, with a 
pledge of total abstinence. 

2. In May of the same year the first National Tem- 
perance Convention assembled in Philadelphia, being 
composed of 400 delegates from twenty-one States. 
This convention took no stronger ground than to 
declare that " the traffic in ardent spirits as a drink, 
and the use of it as such, are morally wrong, and 
ought to be abandoned throughout the world." At 
this convention the United States Temperance Union 
was formed, having for its object the diffusion of 
knowledge and the exertion of moral influence for 
the extension of temperance principles. 

There had been laws regidating the sale of intoxi- 
cating liquors in Maine, as in other parts, from the 
first establishment of civil government ; but the 
declaration of the National Convention pointed to a 
restriction of the traffic, which finally took the form 
of prohibiting absolutely the sale of intoxicating 
liquors for the common purposes of drink. 



1840 THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. • 259 

3. The first extensive reform of intemperate per- 
sons in INIaine began with the introduction of the 
Wasliingtonian tenipenince societies. The leading 
principle of the Washingtonians was total abstinence 
from all that could intoxicate ; and their method was 
to convert the drunkard and drunkard-maker by 
moral suasion. Their first organization was formed 
in Baltimore in 1840. The famous temperance lect- 
urer, John H. W. Hawkins, was associated with it 
from the start, and the still more famous John B. 
Gough became identified with the movement a few 
months later. At the first anniversary of this society 
more than one thousand reformed drunkards marched 
in procession ; and its results in all parts of New 
England were very great. 

4. But there were so many who were determined 
to indulge their appetites for strong drink, and so 
many who found profit in the traffic, that only a com- 
parativel}' small number could be rescued from the 
degrading bondage. Therefore it became evident 
that the traffic must be restrained by law, in order to 
diminish the use of intoxicants and to remove tempta- 
tion from the way of the weak. In most of the 
northern States efforts were make to awaken the 
minds of the people to the evils of strong drink, and 
to regulate its sale. 

In Maine, temperance tracts were distributed, and 
there was no town hall, country church, nor district 
school house, where the people were not called to- 
gether to consider this subject. Several of the States 
adopted license laws, but prohibitory laws were not 
thought practicable except in Maine. There was 
also an honest scruple in the minds of many person- 
ally temperate people in regard to interference with 
the libert}'" of the individual in the use of beverages. 

5. Petitions for the enactment of a prohibitory law 
in jNIaine were refused by the Legislatures of 1844 
and 1845 ; but in 1846 a law was enacted which pro- 



260 THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. 1846 

hibited the sale of alcoholic liquors absolutely, ex- 
cept for medicinal and mechanical purposes. It was 
the first law in Maine, or elsewhere, that made the 
sale of liquor as a beverage illegal. This was a long 
step forward ; but the penalties imposed were so 
slight that the law was practically useless, — except 
that it called public attention to the evils of the 
traffic, leading to renewed effort and better laws. 

The cause of temperance was growing. In the 
following year the Supreme Court of the United 
States decided, without a dissenting voice, that pro- 
hibition laws were not inconsistent with the Consti- 
tution of the United States, nor with any act of 
Congress. 

6. Meanwhile the people were becoming more and 
more enlightened in regard to the tendency of strong 
drink to destroy prosperity and degrade men and 
women, so that really good society might nowhere be 
found. The progress of the arts and sciences were 
holding out to mankind new and wonderful means of 
a superior condition of life, in the machinery for the 
manufacture of every conceivable article, and in the 
application of the steam engine to transport men and 
merchandise with great rapidity and small cost over 
sea and land, so that there came to be many new 
and profitable occupations for such persons as were 
qualified to engage in them. But the nice machin- 
ery could not be run by a person in any degree 
affected by intoxicants. Passengers would not trust 
themselves on railroads and steamboats if their lives 
were to be endangered by tipsy employes ; so tha^ 
the material forces of civilization, as well as moral 
and intellectual ones, were urging to sobriety and 
the banishment of the dangerous alcoholic drinks. 

7. In 1842 the organization called '■'■ Sons of Tem- 
perance " was organized in New York city, and its 
divisions were speedily extended into Maine. Un- 
like the Washingtonian societies, its membership was 



1851 THE TE^rPERANCE MOVEMENT. 261 

formed cliiefly of temperate people of good reputa- 
tion. It was largely social in its character, but secret 
in rts proceedings. The society proved very effective 
in cultivating a sound sentiment in the community 
in regard to beverages, and greatly aided in bringing 
about the adoption of more stringent laws relating 
to the liijuor tral'fic. Nor was this the only associa- 
tion which contributed to the cause of prohibition. 
Others were the Independent Order of Rechabites, 
organized in 1842 ; the Cadets of Temperance, in 
1845 ; the Temperance Watchmen, originating in 
Durham, Maine, in 1849 ; with the later organizations 
of Good Templars, the Juvenile Templars, Band of 
Hope, and the Loyal Temperance Legion. 

8. The Legislature of 1851 was composed largely 
of temperance men ; and on the last day of the session 
it enacted the first prohibitory law that has proved 
effective. The governor in that year was Dr. John 
Hubbard, of Hallowell, a Democrat, but who, as a 
pliysician, had accurate knowledge of the injury 
wrought by strong drinks; and he signed the new 
law the very day it came to him. This was the fam- 
ous " Maine Law." It was framed chiefly by Neal 
Dow, skice so well known in America and England 
as the advocate of prohibition; who also, in 1844, had 
circulated at his own expense the first petitions for 
prohibition. 

9. LTp to the close of that day the dealers were 
selling their liquors freely, and had their usual large 
stocks on hand ; the next morning all sales were 
unlawful, and their liquors were liable to be confis- 
cated and destroyed ; but the autliorities very prop- 
erly allowed tliem a reasonable time for their removal. 
Very soon, in the cities where large quantities were 
kept, long processions of drays, full of barrels and 
casks of the mischievous spirits, were to be seen on 
their way to railroad stations and steambf)at landings, 
going off to alHict communilies in other States. 



262 THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. 1855 

Governor Hubbard, who had signed the prohibi 
tory law, was re-nominated by his party, but a large 
number refused to support him, and nominated an 
anti-Maine Law candidate. From this action it re- 
sulted that none of the several candidates voted for 
received a majority, and the election therefore de- 
volved upon the Legislature ; and William G. Crosby, 
a Whig, was chosen. 

10. The law was amended, in order to make it 
more effective and acceptable, in 1853, and again in 
1855. In the spring of the latter year a city agency 
for the sale of liquors for medicinal and mechanical 
purposes was established in Portland. The Mayor, 
in that year, was Neal Dow, who had himself taken 
care to purchase suitable liquors for this purpose, and 
they had been stored in City Hall, in which place 
the agency was to be opened. 

The statement was thereupon circulated that Mr. 
Dow had, in violation of the State law, engaged in the 
liquor business himself. The police had been search- 
ing stores and dwellings for liquors kept for illegal 
sale, and the Marshal was called upon to seize and 
destroy " Mayor Dow's rum," as well as that of 
others. The Mayor called a meeting of the Alder- 
men in order to transfer the liquors to the city, as 
had been intended ; but while they were in session, 
the Marshal, armed with a warrant from the Police 
Court, seized the whole stock. 

11. A crowd had collected about the depository of 
the liquors in old City Hall, in Market Square, which, 
in the evening, greatly increased, and manifested a 
purpose to destroy or get away with the liquors. No 
doubt some believed Mr. Dow had, by means of the 
law, secured a monopoly in liquor selling, and was 
about to engage in it for his own profit ; but most 
knew the truth, and were moved merely by malice 
against the prohibitory law, and were glad of an op- 
portunity to avenge themselves upon its author. 



1855 THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. 263 

The crowd still continued to increase, grew violent' 
and stones and brickbats were thrown at the doors of 
the City building. Soon after ten o'clock Maj-or Dow, 
accompanied by a portion of the Rifle Guards, ap- 
peared upon the scene and ordered the crowd to dis- 
perse. They did not obey, but on the contrary, be- 
came more violent, and the Mayor gave the order, 
"First platoon, fire," but the order was not obeyed; 
and the Mayor, escorted by a part of the company, 
left the scene. After the Guards had retired the riot- 
ous demonstrations increased. The police fired blank 
cartridges into the crowd, hoping to frighten tlieiu 
away, but without success. About eleven o'clock 
the Mayor, with a portion of the Rifle Guards, under 
Captain Roberts, returned to City Ilall. The doors 
of the liquor store were flung open, and firing began 
upon the crowd. A sailor was killed asid ten or 
twelve persons wounded. At this the mob dispersed. 

12. The Mayor was severely censured for ordering 
the fire, and was tried on a charge of having liquors 
in his keeping. The legal proceedings were long con- 
tinued, and it finally became evident that the whole 
movement proceeded from the hostility of those who 
bated the law ; and the persecuted magistrate was 
acquitted. 

At the election in the autumn following the liquor 
agency riot in Portland, the vote for the Maine Law 
candidate for Governor showed increased favor to 
the cause, but a plurality of votes defeated him ; 
while a majority of the members of the Legislature 
proved to be against prohibition ; and Samuel Wells 
of Portland, who had been the Democratic candidate, 
was elected Governor. Li the following session the 
prohibitory law was repealed and a stringent license 
law substituted. Then followed nearly two years 
when liquors were freely sold wherever there were 
found sufficient patrons to pay the annual license 
fee. There quickly followed a large increase of pov- 
erty, crime and public disorder. 



264 THE TEMPERA KCE MOVEMENT. 1884 

13. In 1856 the members elected to thelegislati^re 
were almost unanimously anti-slavery men, yet the 
license candidate for governor was defeated by an 
adverse majority of 20,000 votes. Slavery rather 
than temperance was the issue that year, but in the 
next year the increased drunkenness brought the 
question of prohibition or license into prominence. 
The legislature elected in 1857, therefoi-e, contained 
many ardent temperance men, and in March, 1858, 
the Maine law, much im})roved, was enacted to go 
into effect on July 15th, 1^558, with a provision that it 
should be submitted to the people the month previ- 
ous. The new law was approved by a large majority. 
Prohibition now became the settled policy of the 
State, and while neither of the national parties gave 
hearty support to the strict execution of the law, 
neither has since ventured to set itself plainly in op- 
position. At length, after more than thirty years' 
experience of the benefits of the prohibitory policy to 
the moral and material interests of the State, a con- 
stitutional amendment embodying the principle of 
prohibition, was, in September, 1881, submitted to 
the people, and they chose to put it in the constitu- 
tion beyond the reach of repeal or change, at any one 
election, b}"" a vote of nearly three to one,- a majority 
twice larger than any party or any proposition ever 
before obtained in Maine. 

14. The constitution of the State now prohibits 
forever the manufacture of intoxicating liquors, and 
their sale, except for medicinal or mechanical pur- 
poses and the arts. The amendment went into 
effect on the first Wednesday of January, 1885. 

The share of Maine in the national drink bill, if 
she filled her proportion, would be about thirteen 
millions of dollars, but it is believed that one million 
will far more than pay for all the liquor smuggled 
into the State, or sold in violation of the law. So it 
will be seen that there is an annual saving by pro- 



1856 POLITICAL PARTIES, 265 

hibition of- about twelve millions of dollars directly, 
with an indirect saving in money and material, 
nearly, or quite as large. It is this saving and the 
resulting sobriet}' which renders ]\Iaine so prosper- 
ous, her people so intelligent, and her communities 
so happy, compared with places where the sale of 
liquor is unrestrained. 

15. While there had been Temperance parties in 
Udine in 1853, 18G9, and from 1880 to 1884, their 
organization had onl}' served to stimulate other par- 
ties to enact and execute prohibitory laws. When 
the first prohibitory law was enacted the government 
was Democratic, and had been so for many years. 
In 1857, when the prohibitory law was replaced upon 
the statute book, the Legislature was largely Repub- 
lican, and so, also, was the Legislature of 1883, which 
framed the Prohibition amendment and submitted it 
to the people. 

The reader of this history has found mention of 
many political parties, and some statement of their 
principles is necessary to an understanding of the 
influences which shaped public affairs. 

16. The present Republican party was formed 
in ]Maine early in 1856, a little in advance of its 
organization in other States. The first three govern- 
ors of the State also belonged to a Republican party, 
but it was another one, having different princij^les, for 
the conditions of the two periods were different. 
The Republican party of 1820 took its rise at the 
period when the constitution of the United States 
was formed. Those who favored placing large pow- 
ers in the national government, were called Federal- 
ists, while those who thought that the States should 
be nearly independent of national control, were called 
Anti-Federalists, and then Republicans. Of the first, 
were Washington and the elder Adams, while the 
opposition was under the lead of Jefferson and Madi- 
son. During the French Revolution the Federal 



266 POLITICAL PARTIES 1830 

party sympathized with England, while the Republi 
cans favored the French. 

17. In the political excitements of that period the 
Republicans were stigmatized by their opponents as 
democrats. The name, though given as a reproach, 
was adopted ; and the party of Jefferson and Jack- 
son called itself Democratic-Republican, but its 
members soon came to be called Democrats, and tlieir 
organization has ever since been the Democratic party. 
Foillowing the second war with England, the Feder- 
alst party came into a minority, and the name grew 
unpopular, and it adopted the designation of Na- 
tional Republicans. 

18 In Maine, in 1830, therefore, these were the 
names of the two parties in the field. Governor 
Hunton was the nominee of the latter party, and the 
successful candidate. In 1831 the Democratic-Re- 
publicans had their turn, electing Samuel E. Smith as 
governor. By 1834 tlielast word of the name was 
dropped, and Governor Dunlap was elected as a 
"Democrat" simply; and the National Republicans 
shortened the name of their party and vindicated 
their patriotism by adopting the name of Whigs, 
which had been the designation of the party of In- 
dependence at the period of the Revolution. These 
continued to be the names of parties in Maine until 
1852, when the Anti-Maine Law party was formed. 
Tliis drew so manj' votes from the Democratic party 
that its candidate for governor was defeated. Thus 
far Edward Kent was the only Whig elected gov- 
ernor in Maine, while the Democratic party had 
Governors Dunlap and Fairfield, Hugh J. Anderson, 
of Belfast (1844-1846), John W. Dana, of Frye- 
burg (1847), and John Hubbard, of Hallowell 
(1850-1852). 

19. In consequence of the formation of the new 
party, there was formed in 1852 the Maine Law party, 
to antagonize it ; having for its candidate, in the fol- 



1855 POLITICAL PARTIES. 267 

lowing .year, Anson P. Morrill, of Readfield. But 
William G. Crosby, the candidate of the Whigs, was 
elected governor, also obtaining the office in the 
following year by the choice of the Legislature. In 
1854 Anson P. Morrill was the candidate of the 
Maine Law party and of the new " Know Nothing " 
or American party, and was elected by the Legisla- 
ture ; no candidate having received a majority of the 
popular vote. 

20. In the years since 1841, wdien the Liberty, or 
Abolition, party first appeared in Maine, the anti- 
slavery sentiment had been growing. In 1848 the 
party threw upwards of 12,000 votes. About this 
time the Free Soil party was formed, having a prin- 
ciple that gave it a national and a more popular 
character. It attained to considerable magnitude in 
the Middle States, and the Abolition party became 
merged in this — George F. Talbot being its first 
gubernatorial candidate in Maine, in 1849. It threw 
a variable number of votes until 1854, when the}^ 
were divided between the Whig nominee and Anson 
P. Morrill, the candidate of the Maine Law and 
Know JSIothing parties, giving him the largest num- 
ber, but not a majority ; and his election, also, came 
from the Legislature. In 1855 the Democrats had 
their turn again, electing Samuel Wells, of Portland, 
to the gubernatorial chair. 

2L At this period new questions were claiming the 
attention of citizens, and, naturally, new parties were 
formed upon the new issues. The Temperance, the 
Abolition and the Know Nothing parties each had 
aims peculiar to itself: that of the Abolitionists or 
Liberty party being the abolition of slavery in the 
United States ; and that of the Know Nothing or 
American party, opposition to foreign inlluence (es- 
pecially the Roman Catholic) in our public affairs. 
The Free Soil party, which the Abolitionists joined, 
Lad merely a more practical plan than they, but this 



268 POLITICAL PAETIES. I860 

also, a little later, became absorbed in the new Re- 
publican party. The latter arose in consequence of 
the effort of the slave power to gain possession of 
Kansas, where the resulting " Border Ruffian " out- 
rages were arousing the indignation and exciting the 
alarm of the most conservative people. 

22. The principles of the new Republican party, 
formed in Maine early in 1856, were found to be con- 
sistent with the views of many of all other parties ; 
while its leading principle of opposition to the ex- 
tension of slavery rapidly gained for it an immense 
foUowing. John C. Fremont, the Pathfinder of the 
Rocky Mountains, was its candidate for the presi- 
dency of the United States, while the pro-slavery 
candidate was James Buchanan, a Democrat, and 
who gained the election. In Maine, however, the 
Republican candidate, Hannibal Hamlin, was elected 
by a very large majority. Governor Hamlin having 
been chosen United States Senator, Lot M. Morrill, 

one of the noblest characters in American politics, 
was elected as his successor. 

23. No other parties than the Republican and the 
Democratic appeared again in elections in Maine 
until I860, when there was a small Whig vote ; but 
there was none the next year. There was, however, 
in this and the following year, a new organization 
called the War Democrats, who were simply Demo- 
crats who desired to support the government in the 
suppression of the rebellion by military force. Colo- 
nel Charles D. Jameson, of Bangor, was its candi- 
date in both 3'ears. After its second campaign its 
members joined the Republican ranks, or went back 
to their old party. Again it was Republicans and 
Democrats until 1873, when Joseph H. Williams, of 
Augusta, who had twice been acting-governor, was 
the candidate of the Liberal Republicans. The 
leading principle of this new party was leniency to- 
ward the States which had been in rebellion. In 



1879 POLITICAL TAKTIES. 269 

1876 appeared the Greenback party, whose platform 
of principles varied in different States, but agreed 
always in advocating an exclusively paper currency 
of national treasury notes, similar to the greenbacks 
issued during the war of the rebellion. 

24. The governor was elected by popular vote 
every year from 1850 to 1878, wlien the Greenback 
party threw a larger vote than tiie Democrats. The 
Republican candidate had not obtained a majority, 
and the Legislature elected, choosing Dr. Alonzo 
Garcelon, of Lewiston, the Democi-atic nominee. 

25. In 1879 the three parties had each a candidate, 
but in members of legislature and in county officers 
there was much fusion on the tickets of Democrats 
and Greenbackers, and some certilicates of election 
to the Legislature were granted to persons not entitled 
to them by the vote, these persons belonging in most 
cases, to one of the two fusion parties. When the 
day of the legislative session arriveil, some of the 
Republicans, who supposed themselves elected, ap- 
peared to claim their places, but found them occupied 
by persons holding illegal certificates, vso that for a 
time there were two legislatures. . There not having 
been an election of governor by the people, the fusion 
Legislature chose Joseph L. Smith, national Green- 
backer. The contention between the rival bodies was 
severe, and threatened civil disorder, but ^lajor Gen. 
Chamberlain, commander of the State militia, held 
possession of the state house and kept the peace 
until the question at issue had been decided by the 
Supreme Court of Maine. The decision of the court 
gave several of the contested seats to the Republi- 
can claimants. It also made the doings of the fu- 
sion body invalid; therefore tlie Legislature, as now 
constituted, proceeded, according to the provisions 
of the constitution, to select a governor from the four 
Wiio had received the largest ])opular vote. The two 
receiving the largest number of votes in the House 



270 POLITICAL PAETIES. 1880 

of Representatives were Joseph L. Smith of Bangor, 
and Daniel F. Davis of Corinth ; and these names 
being sent to the Senate, the latter gentleman was 
chosen. Governor Davis was a yonng Lawyer who 
had been a corporal in the war of the rebellion, and 
was Republican in politics. 

26. An amendment to the constitution adopted 
this year, directed the election for governor, State 
senators and representatives to be held biennially 
after 1880, the official term also being made two years, 
while the regular session of the Legislature was fixed 
to occur once in two years, instead of annually. 

In 1880 another amendment to the constitution 
was adopted, by winch a plurality of votes onlj'-, 
instead of a majority, was made sufficient for the 
election of a gubernatorial candidate. 

27. At the same time Governor Davis was a candi- 
date for re-election, and there were also a Temperance 
and a Prohibition candidate; while between the Demo- 
crats and Greenbackers there was such cordial and 
extensive union of forces, that in the published sum- 
mary of votes, they appeared not at all under their 
names, but as Fusionists. Their candidate was Har- 
ris M. Plaisted, of Bangor, who was elected the first 
governor under the new plurality rule, and the first 
for a term of two years. In ten counties the Repub- 
lican candidates were elected with two or three 
exceptions, but in tlie other six nearly all the officers 
were divided between the Democrats and Greenback- 
ers, who in a few cases were voted for on distinct 
tickets. Fusionists also were elected to Congress in 
what were at that time the fourth and fifth Con- 
gressional districts, one being a Greenbacker, with 
free liquor tendencies, the other a Democrat and 
Greenbacker. 

There were still more numerous differences of sen- 
timent in 1882, candidates being nominated by the 
Republicans, Fusionists, Greenbackers, Independent 



1^*^82 POLITICAL PARTIES. 271 

Republicans and Proliibitionists ; but the Republican 
cimdidate, Col. Frederick Robie, of Goi-luun, was 
elected over all by a handsome majority. 

AVliat beneficial movement began in Maine in 1841 ? At what 
(late was the fiist law cnactedin Maine, making the sale of in- 
intoxicating li(iaois as beverages unlawful? Who was the 
Iramerof the law of 1851, known as the "Maine Law" ? In 
what year was prohibition ineorporated in the Constitution of 
JNIainc? Does the credit of the estai)lishment of prohibition 
belong to any one political party ? Whac p irties have existed 
in Maine ? Was the Republican party of 1820 the same as that 
of the present time ? What two parties have had the longest 
existence ? 



272 HISTOKY OP MAINE. 1861 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

1. The antagonism between free society and a civ- 
ilization based upon human slavery was marked in 
our country by the rise of the Abolition party, and of 
the Free Soil party, into which the former was merged, 
and by the formation later of the grand body of 
the Republican party, which embraced the other 
two. The members of these parties saw that slavery 
was debasing to the master as well as to the slave, 
and that it was unfavorable to the highest national 
prosperity ; they also found the system to be aggress- 
ive and grasping in respect to both government and 
territory. It was for these reasons that the nortliern 
people arose in tlieir might and said to the overbear- 
ing slaveholder : "Thus far mayest thou go, but no 
farther " ; and with the principle. No 7nore slave ter- 
ritory^ Abraham Lincoln was elected President of 
the. United States. 

2. Maine had first suffered from the slave power at 
the very outset of her career as a State ; again, in 1837, 
her commerce with Georgia had been injured by re- 
strictions imjjosed only upon Maine vessels by that 
State, contrary to the Constitution of the United 
States; again in several years following 1854, hun- 
dreds of her families who had removed to Kansas, 
were subjected to unnumbered outrages, even pillage, 
arson and murder, by "Border Ruffians" from slave 
States, who, incited by the slave power, were deter- 
mined to change free Kansas into slave territory. 
With the triumph of the Republican party in Lin- 
coln's election in 18G0, the slaveholders found tliafc 
the control of the government had passed from their 
hands ; and they determined to secede from the 



1861 MAINE IX THE REBELLION. 273 

Union and set up a nation of their own, witli human 
slavery for its corner-stone. 

3. Then came the attack of the Secessionists upon 
the United States fort, Sumter, in Charleston 
Harbor, South Carolina, April 12th, 1861 ; and the 
consequent call of President Lincoln for 75,000 vol- 
unteers, for three months, to assist the navy and 
the regular army in the defense of the national prop- 
erty in all parts of the country, and in the capital 
itself. 

Immediately tlie hills and valleys of Maine re- 
sounded with martial music. In several towns vol- 
unteer companies were formed within twenty-four 
hours after the President's call reached them. The 
Lewiston Light Infantry was the first company to 
fill its ranks and be accepted and ordered into service 
by the Governor. In four hours after the enlistment 
roll was opened in Cherryfield, fifty volunteers had 
entered their names. Other towns did as nobly, if 
not so quickly. Many individuals did much beyond 
what could have been required of them, to save the 
nation. 

Henry Humphreys, of Thomaston, offered to arm 
and equip a compnny of artillery himself, at an ex- 
j)ense of lifteen thousand dollars. 

4. The President's call was issued on April 15th, 
and on the 16th Governor Israel Washburn sent out a 
proclamation calling members of the Legislature to 
a session on the 22d, for the purpose of considering 
and determining necessary measures. On the as- 
sembling of the Legislature, an act was passed pro- 
viding for the raising of ten regiments of volunteers, 
and authorizing a loan of a million dollars. On May 
3d the President issued another call for troops, this 
time for volunteers to serve three years. 

From the long prevalence of peace the militia of 
INIaine was in a disorganized condition. There was 
an enrolled but unarmed militia of sixty thousand 



274 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1861 

men, but not more than twelve hundred of these 
were in a condition to respond to calls for ordinary 
duty within the State; yet within two weeks of the 
President's call, the First Maine Regnnent of infan- 
try was organized, and before a month had passed 
the Second Regiment had left for Washington, armed 
and equipped so well that it was expressly com- 
mended by the Secretary of War. 

5. After sending forward the first six regiments 
Governor Wasliburn discontinued enlistments, having 
received notice that the government at Washington 
would not accept additional troops from Maine. All 
other organized companies were now required to dis- 
band, or, at their option, be placed upon such a foot- 
ing as to drill and compensation as would in a degree 
relieve them, yet secure their services when required. 
But after Brigadier-General Sherman visited the 
State and concerted measures with Governor Wash- 
burn in regard to his naval expedition, it was made 
certain that additional regiments would be required, 
and the work of organizing recommenced with 
vigor; four other regiments were speedily filled, the 
last being mustered into the United States service on 
the 4tli uf October, 1861. At the close of this year 
there had been fouj-teen regiments mustered into the 
national service, and twelve of them had gone for- 
ward to the seat of war, while several companies of 
Home Guards were placed as garrisons in forts on the 
Maine coast. Fort McClary, at Kittery, was garri- 
soned on the 30th of April; Fort Scammel, in Port- 
land Harbor, on July 22d ; and Fort Sullivan, at 
Eastport, on the 4th of December. 

6. The act of the Legislature had caused the First 
and Second regiments to be enlisted for two years 
unless sooner discharged ; the former being mustered 
into the United States service for three months, the 
latter for two years. The Third, Fourth, Fifth and 
Sixth res^iments were also thus enlisted ; but later 



1861 M.VIXE IX THH REBELLION-. 275 

orders from the War Department required all State 
volunteers to be mustered into the national service 
for three years, making a change necessary in the 
terms of enlistment. The First and Second regi- 
ments had already left for the seat of war, but all 
others who refused to sign a contract to serve au 
additional year were discharged. 

7. On the 21st of July, 1801, twelve Maine regi- 
ments were in the field; two being stationed for the 
defense of Washington, while several were that day 
engaged with the enemy in the battle of Bull Run. 
The Second Regiment, after a long march in the early 
morning, rested on the Warrentnn turnpike. About 
ten o'clock they were ordered to the front, and 
marched three miles under a burning sun at double- 
quick, many falling out of the ranks exhausted. As 
tliey came up where Sherman's battery was engag- 
ing the rebels, the men threw aside their coats and 
packs, and again advanced at double-quick through 
the woods, over streams and ditches, until they came 
upon a rebel battery. Twice they charged almost to 
the muzzles of the guns, and twice they aa eie driven 
back. Several officers fell in these assaults. Color- 
Sergeant Deane was mortally wounded while carry- 
ing the flag presented to the regiment on the pre- 
vious day. He beckoned to the chaplain, who knelt 
and ])ut his ear close to the mouth of the dying 
soldier. " Is it safe ?" whispered the hero. " What ? " 
asked the chaplain. " The flag. " Being assured of 
its safety, he nodded his head, smiled, and closed 
his eyes. He never spoke again. 

8. The flag, stained with his blood, had been seized, 
as he fell, by Corporal Moore, and, he, too, was almost 
instantly shot dead; and the flag was left on the 
ground, which the rebels immediately occupied. 
When its loss was noticed by the regiment, all 
shouted, " We must have that flag ! " and up the 
hill they went, Colonel Jameson leading. The enemy 



276 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1861 

almost had it in their grasp, when our men rushed 
upon them, and the sacred emblem was recovered 
unpolluted by touch of rebel hands. The regiment 
continued the conflict with great bravery and effect. 
Other portions of our force had done as well. The 
rebels were driven back at almost every point, and 
at two o'clock victory appeared to perch upon our 
banners. 

9. Soon after this hour a dust cloud appeared over 
the trees at the west. It came nearer and nearer. 
That cloud marked the approach of a body of troops, 
who, at first, were thought to be of the Union army, 
and were permitted to take a flanking position within 
musket shot of Rickett's and Griffin's batteiies. 
They proved to be 1,700 men of rebel General John- 
ston's division, from Winchester. Their first volley 
caused great slaughter, and the batteries were aban- 
doned by the few men who had not fallen. 

10. Colonel Howard's brigade, consisting of the 
Tliird, Fourth and Fifth Maine regiments and the Sec- 
ond Vermont, had rested barely fifteen minutes, after a 
long and hurried march, when they were ordered to 
advance upon the enemy. But the batteries they 
were to support were alread}^ retreating, and a rebel 
battery and a large body of infantry in protected 
positions opened upon them with deadly effect. 
They were forced to retire to the protection of a 
wood, but formed again and returned to the conflict. 
The panic from the flying men and horses of the 
beaten batteries now extended far and wide. En- 
tirely unsupported, this brigade also was forced to 
join in the retreat, which at four o'clock had become 
a rout. Though the army of McDowell numbered 
about 40,000 men, nearly one-fourth of the troops 
actually engaged in this battle were from Maine. 

11. This disaster to our forces led Governor Wash- 
burn to issue another order directing the enlistment 
of additional regiments as volunteers. In this docu- 



^^'51 MAINE IN THE REBELLION. 277 

nient lie said: "While observing with most grateful 
l)ride and admiration the brave conduct of our regi- 
ments in the field, the Governor and Commander-in- 
Chief calls upon the loyal sons of the State to emulate 
the patriotic zeal and courage of their brothers who 
have gone before them. The issue involved is one on 
wliich there can be no divided opinion in Maine. It 
affects not only the integritj^ of our Union, but the 
very life of Republican government. For the pres- 
ervation of these, Maine will pour out her best })lood, 
and expend her richest treasure. Having already 
contributed generously of the flower of her youth 
and manhood, Maine must send yet more of her 
stalwart sons, to do battle for the preservation of the 
Union, and for the supremacy of law. " 

12. The Government found that more troops were 
necessary for the suppression of the rebellion ; and 
as other States were still rapidly forming new mili- 
tary organizations, authority was given Maine by the 
War Department to organize five more regiments of 
infantry (with power to increase the number to eight) 
a regiment of cavalry, six batteries of light artillery, 
and a company of rifle sharp-shooters. These were 
promptly raised, together with four additional com- 
panies of coast guards. 

13. In the meantime the regiments already sent 
forward were having experience of the vicissitudes of 
war. Sometimes it was but the easy service of 
guarding a road, militar)'^ stores, or public property; 
oftener it was the long march through deep mud, or 
in heat and dust ; or it was exposure for hours to 
rain, or snow and sleet; again it was hunger not 
wholl}^ satisfied for days ; then it was severe toil 
upon intrenchments with spade and pick ; or, again, 
it was hurried marching to battle, miles away. Here 
were the rattle of musketry, the screaming of shells, 
the mowing of the ranks b}'- grape and canister, 
or the fearful charge of the glittering bayonets, 



278 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1862 

and the tramplino^ of horses and the swift stroke of 
sabres in the terrible cavalry charge. 

14. Ii] February, 1862, Fort Henry, on the 
Tennessee river, had been taken from the rebels 
by Commodore Foote ; Roanoke Island, by General 
Burnside; while the battle of Millsprings had 
cleared Kentucky of the rebels. General Grant 
had taken Fort Donleson, on the Cumberland ; 
in March, General Pope and Commodore Foote 
had captured Island Number Ten, near the 
mouth of the Ohio ; in April, the rebels had suf- 
fered a defeat at Pittsburg Landing, by General 
Grant ; while General Gilmore had taken Fort 
Pulaski, at the mouth of the Savannah; and Com- 
modore Farragut, with General Porter, had taken 
forts Jackson and St. Philip, commanding the en- 
trance of the Mississippi river. 

15. After Bull Run the army of the Potomac was 
distrustful, and many months passed before any 
general advance was made. This battle had shown 
the liability of new troops to panic, and made the 
necessity of discipline apparent. The remainder of 
the summer and the autumn and winter were chiefly 
spent by our forces in the East in drill, strategic 
movements and many intrenchments, instead of 
persistent fighting. The first important conflict after 
Bull Run in which the Maine regiments of the army 
of the Potomac were engaged was at Williamsburgh, 
immediately following the seige of Yorktovvn. At the 
latter place the Second, Third, Fourth and Sixth reg- 
iments distinguished themselves in reconnoissances 
and skirmishes, and made themselves exceedingly 
useful in less exciting labors ; so that they were men- 
tioned as "those marvellous New England soldiers 
who built batteries by night and in the rain with 
the same energy and skill with which they repair 
locomotives, construct railroad bridges, run grist- 
mills and reconstruct abandoned saw-mills. " 



1862 MAINE IN THE REBELLION. 279 

16. The retreat of the confederated rebels from 
Yorktowii took phice on the 3d of ]\Iay. Our forces 
prom])tly pursued ; and on the 5th was fought the 
hattle of Willianisbuigh, on the way to the rebel 
capital. During the battle the confederates were 
suddenly reinforced by a large body of troops, and 
our lines were in consequence slowly forced back. 
General Hancock, who commanded the left wing, 
ordered his first line to fall back to the second — 
al)()ut half a mile. Here they re-formed, the new 
line inoluding the Fifth and Sixth regiments of Maine 
infantry. 

17. The enemy came rapidly on, confident of vic- 
tory. They poured a terrible fire upon our center, 
but the men never wavered, giving volley for volley 
with much effect. The Tliird and Fourth Maine regi- 
ments were stationed on tlie plain at the left of tiie 
battlefield, to prevent the enemy from moving upon 
our flank. The Eleventh Maine was with (jeneral 
Casey's brigade, three miles away. At about half 
])ast three o'clock Casey was ordered up to support 
General Hancock. The brigade moved at double- 
quick, through mud to the ankles, arriving in view 
of the battle field in less than an hour. 

18. The Seventh Maine in the earlier part of the 
day were on the left Hank of the second line, but 
h;ul been ordered, with three companies of a New 
York regiment, to move behind the hill. Here they 
remained for several hours, impatiently listening to 
the varying sounds of the battle. As the advance of 
Casey's brigade appeared in the distance, the Seventh 
M-ere ordered to charge. They dashed up over the 
hill, shouting from their long restrained cicitement. 
General Hancock cheering them on. The enemy 
heard the shout, and saw the long line of sabre bay- 
onets coming over the hill, and, without firing an- 
other gun, they broke and lied. Our whole line 
pursued, capturing about five hundred prisoners, 



280 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1862 

including the wounded. Darkness ended the hos- 
tilities, and our men bivouacked on the field. All 
that night the cries of the wounded confederates 
were ringing in their ears, and they cared for them 
as they would for their own ; many giving up their 
blankets to them, and sitting in the rain themselves 
until morning. 

19. As the result of this victory, Norfolk on the 
farther side of the James River, the great navy -yard 
of the nation, was evacuated by the rebels, and the 
ram " Merriraac, " which had commanded the river, 
was blown up to avoid her falling into Union hands. 

In the AVest there had been an almost continuous 
series of victories. The Confederate cause had gone 
under a cloud. 



What marked the antagonism of a free and a slave system of 
civilization in America ? How had Maine suffered from the 
slave power ? How soon after the President's call for troops 
was the first regiment organized in Maine ? What regiment 
was the first to leave for the seat of war? At the close of 
18(31 how many Maine regiments had been mustered into the 
national service ? At what date did the battle of Bull liun 
occur ? What was done in Maine as a result of this battle ? 
What was the next important battle in which Maine troops 
were engaged ? Was a greater degree of heroism shown at 
Williamsburgh than at Bull Hun by Maine troops ? 



1862 WILLIAMSBURG TO GEUTYSBURG. 28t 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

1. Several of the later battles of the rebellion, if 
not more decisive than that of Williamsburg, were 
of so much greater importance from the numbers en- 
gaged, that this contest appears a small affair in com- 
parison. There were also a great number of smaller 
combats unnamed as battles, in which as much valor 
was shown as in the more celebrated conflicts. In 
most of the latter the troops of Maine were so 
mingled with those of other States, and their activi- 
ties were so comj^licatcd and extensive that to intel- 
ligibly describe them would require a large volume ; 
so that their many heroic performances can rarely be 
mentioned exce[)t in a general manner. 

2. A succession of victories during the last part 
of 1861 and the earlier months of the following year, 
in both East and West, led the Northern people to 
believe that the Confederacy Avould soon colla[)se. 
On the first of January, 1862, the national govern- 
ment relieved the authorities of JMaine from all 
j'articipation in the recruiting service; and on 
April od, the Adjutant-General of the United States 
ordered the volunteer recruiting service to cease. 
All enlistments were in consequence suspended ;but 
on May 21st, authority was given for raising the Six- 
teenth regiment of infantry for three years service. 
This was after " Stonewall " Jackson's victory over 
the Union army under General Milroy in Western 
Virgina. No further call for recruits was intimated. 

3. Then came the rout of the army under General 
Banks, and the escape of Jackson's army from those 
of Generals Fremont and Shields, followed by the 
defeat of the latter by the wonderful commander 



282 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1862' 

whom he was pursuing. Scarcely four weeks later 
came the withdrawal of General McClellan's army 
from the Peninsula, after six days of terrible figliting 
before Richmond. From these occurrences it became 
apparent that the war was far from ending, and that 
the armies must be greatly increased. Within a few 
weeks a requisition was made upon Maine for her 
quota under the call of July 2d, 1862. The Six- 
teenth Regiment was ready; and this, with the 
Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth, 
together with numerous recruits furnished by cities, 
towns and plantations, were accepted in satisfaction 
of the requisition. Volunteering was prompt, and 
these regiments were filled very quickly; but before 
their organization was completed, the President, on 
the 4th of August, called for three liundred tliousand 
militia, to be raised by draft, and to serve for nine 
months, unless sooner discharged. 

4. Our loss of men in these battles, and by sickness, 
had been great, and the necessity of more troops for 
the Eastern battle-ground became moi-e and more 
apparent. Indeed, it was said that had McClellan 
been reinforced on the Peninsula by twenty thou- 
sand men, he would at once have brought the 
war to a close; but the government could not 
furnish them. The quota of our State under the call 
of August 4th, was 9,609. From this, some reduc- 
tion was made because of the large number of en- 
rolled militia in the merchant marine and the navy. 
The privilege was also given of supplying with 
volunteers, instead of drafted men, the whole or any 
portion of the quota. On the 9th of August, the 
War Department issued, in General Orders, regula- 
tions for the enrolment and draft of men under 
this requisition. These directed the selection of 
rendezvous for the troops, commandants for the 
encampments, and the enrolment of all able-bodied 
American citizens between the ages of eighteen and 



1862 WILLIAMSBURG TO GETTYSBURG. 283 

forty-five years; it also directed, provisionall}^ tlie 
appointment of a commissioner from each county to 
superintend the drafting, and to hear and determine 
the excuses of persons chiiming exemption from 
mihtary duty. But the statutes of our State were 
deemed sufficient for the emergency, and no commis- 
sioners were at tliis time appointed in Maine. 

5. The draft was first ordered to be made on the 
third day of September, then was postponed to the 
tenth, when preceedings directed by the Orders were 
commenced in those towns which, at this date, were 
found to be deficient in their quotas. Thus stimu- 
lated, the towns and cities made a further effort to 
make up their deficit with volunteers. The places 
of rendezvous for the troops were Portland, Augusta 
and Bangor. At the close of October it was found 
that a few towns had not yet furnished the balance 
of their quotas upon the calls of July and August, 
and a commissioner was appointed for each county, 
to make a draft on the 29th of November in such 
towns as by that time should not have enlisted the 
required number. These officers, instead of at once 
preparing for a draft, gave their efforts to facilitate 
enlistments in the delinquent towns, and with such 
success that in no instance did they resort to the 
measure which they were appointed to enforce; and 
new regiments were still formed and old ones re- 
cruited without the aid of a draft. 

6. Many towns even exceeded their quota, to the 
relief of other parts of the State. The city of Saco 
sent no less than twenty-five men in excess of her 
quota under both calls, while the town of Machias, 
having furnished its full quota with promptness, ex- 
pressed a determination to respond in like manner to 
all future calls. A great aid in procuring enlist- 
ments was found in the town and State bounties, and 
in the assurance of State aid to such families as were 



284 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1802 

left without support by the absence of husband, 
father, or son, in the service of the country. 

Meanwhile the conflict raged completely around 
the Confederacy. After the defeat of McClellan's 
army in the several battles along the line of the 
Chickahominy, the rebels prepared for an invasion 
of Maryland. They worsted General Pope's army 
at Cedar Mountain, in the battle of Manassas, or 
Second Bull Run, and at Chantilly ; then they 
crossed the Potomac, near Harper's Ferry, into 
Maryland. 

7. Here, on September 17th, they v/ere met by the 
consolidated armies of McClellan and Pope, which, 
advancing from Washington, met the enemy at An- 
tietam Creek. In this battle the Second Maine In- 
fantry was the first regiment under fire ; the Fifth 
was under fire for thirty hours with unabated courage; 
while the Seventh, by some blunder, was ordered to 
charge alone a rebel reserve of infantry and a battery 
well-posted on a hill three-fourths of a mile away. 
But obedience is the soldier's first duty; and their 
brave colonel, Hyde, led them on, — crossing, of ne- 
cessity, an open phiin exposed to the artillery of both 
friend and foe. The rebels were driven back until 
they found shelter behind a stone wall. The heroic 
band then retired by a circuitous route to their 
brigade line, having lost eleven out of fifteen officers, 
and more than half the privates which the regiment 
could then muster. Others of our regiments per- 
formed well their part in this battle, — which turned 
the rebel army back from loyal soil. 

8. After his victory at Antietam, McClellan's army 
made no forward movement until late in October, 
when it began to cross the Potomac to operate 
against the rebel forces along the Rappahannock. 
Distrust of his abilities, or of his patriotism, led 
President Lincoln to remove General McClellan from 



1863 WILLIAMSBURG TO GETTYSBURG. 285 

his command ; which was then given to Burnside. The 
army of General Lee was strongly posted at Fred- 
ericksburg ; but, urged on toward Richmond by the 
popukir demand, General Burnside decided to cross 
the Rappahannock and attack the enemy in his posi- 
tion. The roar of four hundred cannon ushered in 
the dreadful conllict, in which a dozen Maine regi- 
ments and batteries took an active part. On the 
12th of December, the Union forces crossed the 
river to make their grand assault upon the Confed- 
erate lines. Burnside had nearly 100,000 men, and 
Lee opposed him with 80,000 ; but the latter were so 
strongly intrenched on the crests of the hills, that 
after a long day, full of determined assaults upon 
the enemy's lines, the Union forces were repulsed 
with such heavy loss that they soon withdrew to 
their former position across the river. 

The country was shocked to learn that this battle 
liad cost us 13,000 men. The Sixteenth Maine alone 
lost two hundred and twenty-six killed and wounded, 
— nearly half of those who went into the action. 
"Whatever honor we can claim in that conflict," 
said Burnside, "was won by Maine men." 

9. President Lincoln was greatly distressed by 
this disaster, but it did not deter him from fulfilling 
a religious vow which he made just before the battle 
of Antietam, that if the rebels were driven back 
from Maryland he would free the slaves. Accord- 
ingly, on January 1st, 1863, he issued a proclamation 
emancipating every slave within the national do- 
main. Thus, at last, the chief magistrate ot the 
nation, by virtue of his war-power, brought him by 
the slaveholders themselves in making war, struck 
the blow which destroyed the principal cause of the 
rebellion. 

The effect of this act on the Confederacy was to 
weaken its armies; since the negroes, wherever the 
news came^ were not to be depended upon for agricul- 



286 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1863 

tural purposes, while there was increased fear of their 
insurrection. On the other hand, the Union forces 
were, in the course of a few months, strengthened 
by several regiments of the freedmen, — the aggre- 
gate number in Union service finally reaching up- 
wards of 80,000. Yet these results were not at once 
realized, and there was an urgent need of more 
troops. Accordingly, on the 3d of March, Congress 
passed the Conscription Act; and thereafter the 
general government enforced the drafts under this 
law. 

10. Our forces in the West and upon the southern 
coast had met with both successes and reverses. The 
army of the Potomac remained at Falmouth, opposite 
Fredericksburg ; the deep mud making army move- 
ment so difficult that little was attempted, until 
General Burnside was superseded by General Hooker. 
Having re-organizcd the army to his mind, and re- 
ceived accessions until he had 150,000 men under his 
command, Hooker moved against Lee, whose army 
was still about Fredericksburg. The forces met at 
Chancellorsville, a few miles north of Lee's position 
and on the southeastern border of the ten miles 
square, or more, of rough and barren country known 
as the Wilderness. It was in the battle fought here 
that our gallant General Berry fell, while stemming 
the tide of " Stonewall " Jackson's corps. It was 
here, too, that the latter received his death wound. 
The number of Maine troops under fire was about 
the same as at Fredericksburg, and the loss was 
almost equal. With every reason to expect an ef- 
fective victory. Hooker's army had suffered a very 
damaging defeat ; and, under cover of a storm on the 
night of the 3d of ]\Iay, he withdrew his whole force 
to its old position on the other side of the Rappa- 
hannock. 

11. During these years of the war the Confeder- 
ates had made increasing efforts to acquire a navy, 



1863 WILLIAMSBURG TO GETTYSBURG. 287 

and already several powerful vessels under the reljel 
flag were prejang upon our commerce. In the spring 
of 18G3 some attacks had been made upon vessels off 
the Maine coast by rebel privateers. Among these 
was the Tacony, a small bark commanded by a Lieu- 
tenant Reade. On the 24th of June, 1863, he cap- 
tured a fishing schooner ; and transferring to her his 
crew and effects, he burned the Tacony. In the 
disguise of a fisherman, the rebels, on the 2Gth, en- 
tered Portland Harbor. In the following night they 
succeeded in capturing the United States revenue 
cutter, Caleb Gushing, an armed vessel, while she lay 
unsuspectingly at anchor. Early the next morning 
the cutter was missed; and, after some inquiry, the 
method of her disappearance became known. The 
collector of tiie port, Jedediah Jewett, together with 
Captain Jacob McLellan, Mayor of the city of Port- 
land, at once prepared for pursuit. Thirty men from 
the garrison at Fort Preble were placed on board the 
steamer Forest City, with such officers, guns and 
ammunition as could be quickly procured. Mean- 
while the New York steamer Chesapeake, another 
small steamer and a tug boat were pressed into ser- 
vice, and manned with experienced pilots, gunners 
and naval officers, and about one hundred volunteer 
privates. Having been supplied with ammunition, 
the little squadron, about eleven o'clock, steamed 
down the harbor. The cutter was soon sighted in 
the outer harbor. Being a sailing vessel she made 
little headway in the light breeze, and the rescuing 
fleet was soon within range of the small cannon 
carried by each of the hostile parties. 

12. The rebels were not found to be in such force 
as had been expected ; and after a short resistance, 
they set the cutter on fire and took to their boats, 
attempting to reach the fishing scliooner. The fire 
soon communicated with the magazine, containing 
about four hundred pounds of powder, which, at 



288 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1863 

two o'clock, exploded with a terrific concussion. 
Thousands of citizens watched the proceedings from 
elevated points in the city, and witnessed the im- 
pressive closing of the career of their familiar vessel. 

In the meantime, the steamers pressed on and cap- 
tured the flying boats, with the twenty-three rebels 
engaged in this bold but ill-judged exploit. It 
appeared that they were an offshoot from the Con- 
federate man-of-war, Florida, and that their leader 
held a commission from the Confederate government; 
wherefore they could not be hung as pirates. They 
were placed in confinement at Fort Preble for a 
while, and some months later were exchanged. 

13. By the urgent solicitation of our State author- 
ities, the general government was this year induced 
to strengthen the permanent fortificatious in the 
harbor of Portland, at the mouth of the Kennebec 
river, and at the Narrows of the Penobscot, and to 
construct earthworks at Rockland, Belfast and East- 
port. At the latter places two batteries of five guns 
each were mounted, while single batteries of five 
guns were placed at Castine and Machiasport. On 
the part of the State, some additional companies of 
Home, or Coast, Guards were authorized and placed 
at such points as appeared to be in danger. 

"Were the Maine troops massed by themselves in the battles? 
What occasioned the suspension of enlistments? When did 
another call for militia occur, and what cause was there for it? 
What was the quota of our State under this call? Was it raised 
by draft or by volunteering? When and where was the battle 
of Antietam fought? What was the result? When and where 
was the battle of Fredericksburg? What vow did President 
Lincoln carry into effect on the first of January, ISG-'J? At what 
date was the Conscription Act passed by Congress? What oc- 
curred at the battle of Chancellorsville? What surprising event 
took place in Portland harbor in June? What action was taken, 
and what was the result? 



1863 GETTYSBURG TO CLOSE OF WAR. 289 



CHAPTER XXXVT. 

1. Their success at Cliancellorsville encouraged 
the rebels to attempt another invasion of the North. 
Accordingly, early in June there were concentrated 
near Culpej^per, in Virginia, nearly 100,000 rebels, 
of whom 15,000 were cavalry. It was nearly the 
Lirgest and by far the best organized and equipped 
army which the Confederacy ever placed in the field. 
The three corps into which it was divided were un- 
der the command of Generals Longstreet, Evvell and 
A. P. Hill, — the cavalry being under Stuart. As it 
moved slowly down the Shenandoah Valley, Hooker 
broke up his camp opposite Fredericksburg and 
moved northward on a line parallel with that of Lee. 
Having routed General Milroy and his ten thousand 
at Winchester, Lee crossed the Potomac, and pressed 
on until his advanced corps under Ewell entered 
Pennsylvania. 

2. General Hooker was disposed to fall upon the 
enemy's communications rather than to attack his 
arm}', and asked of General Halleck, commander-in- 
chief, that the ten thousand men who were holding 
Harper's Ferry, be added to his* own command. 
When this was refused, he resigned ; and General 
Meade was immediately appointed to his place. 

The Union forces were now advanced northward 
and thrown upon the Confederate rear. Lee at 
once turned to meet them. Meade perceived that 
the enemy's divisions were directed southward so as 
to join at Gettysburg, and hurried his army forward 
to secure the choice of position. After General 
Reynold's fierce fight on the first day of the battle 
(in which he fell). General Howard came up and took 
a strong position on Cemetery Hill. Here his artil- 



290 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1863 

lery covered a wide range of the field, and great 
efforts were made to dislodge him, but in vain. On 
the extreme left, on the second day. General Sickles 
made his grand fight against Longstreet. It was 
here that some of our Maine regiments displayed a 
valor not surpassed by any troops upon the field, 
and maintained the left, where the rebel attacks fell 
the fiercest and longest, unbroken to the end of the 
battle. It was not until the night of the 3d of July, 
and the third day of fighting, that the enemy retired 
from the field., and then retreated without delay to 
his old position on the north of Richmond. 

3. The presence of this great army of rebels on 
their north, had greatly alarmed the Washington 
authorities, and on June 29th a draft of 100,000 
men was ordered by the War Department. For the 
first time in Maine, there was a slight opposition, 
which, in the towns of Kingfield, Freeman and 
Salem, in Franklin county, assumed the form of a 
forcible resistance. 

In the minds of some uninstructed persons there 
is ai)t to be a confusion of ideas as to what consti- 
tutes Liberty and Freedom. These erring citizens 
forgot that the measure against which they rebelled 
was the proper act of a government whose members 
their towns had lielped to elect, and who were there- 
fore their legitimate representatives; who, in framing 
this law, were doing what, in their superior judgment 
and more comprehensive view, they believed to be 
best for their constituents. When the American 
colonies rebelled against Great Britain, they did so 
on the ground that they were taxed unjustly by a 
government in which they were not represented, 
which was located 3,000 miles away, and did not 
understand the needs of the colonies, but disregarded 
their rights, refused their just claims, and imposed 
unjust and oppressive restrictions upon their com- 
merce and manufactures. 



1803 GETTYSBURG TO CLOSE OF WAR. 291 

4. In 1860, and the earlier months of the follow- 
ing year, there had been actively disseminated in 
Maine suggestions tliat there would be great advan- 
tages to its citizens in the secession of our State from 
the United States, and its union Avith Canada. 
Added to the inHuence of these suggestions was the 
belief on the part of many that the Southern rebels 
were about to succeed in their purpose, — and the 
snare of disIo3"alty was fully set. Tlie malcontents in 
Maine found their rallying place in Kingfield; where 
an old piece of cannon, manned by men who had 
played with it on Independence days, and these sup- 
ported by a dozen or two unwise persons, armed 
with old muskets and a few guilt3'-looking bayonets, 
constituted the only abettors the Confederates found 
north of the drunken rioters of New York city. 

Against this handful of conceited fellows, marched, 
in July, Company G, of the 3d division of State 
Militia (made up mostly of returned veterans), to- 
gether with a detail of regulars; the whole under the 
command of Post-Adjutant Webber, of the staff of 
the Assistant Provost-Marshal. When this force 
arrived at the rebellious vicinit}'', the cannon was not 
to be found, and the figures which had hovered about 
it had vanished away, as the unfledged brood of a 
partridge disappears before a farmer's boy. Thus 
ended tiie rebellion in Maine; and the draft was 
made without further trouble. 

5. Following this draft, another call was made by 
the President on the 17th day of October, for 300,000 
volunteers to serve for three years. In response to 
this call Governor Coburn issued a stirring procla- 
mation, of which the following is the leading para- 
graph : "Of this additional force Maine is expected 
to furnish her quota, and she will not disappoint 
that expectation. Now, as heretofore, her patriotic 
men will respond to the call, and promptly furnish 
her full share of the force necessary to vindicate the 



292 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1864 

integrity of our government, and maintain the su- 
premacy of the laws of the Union. " 

In the autumn, Lee again advanced northward, 
but fell back when Meade set his forces in motion to 
meet him, and no general engagement resulted. In 
October, General Meade also thought that the time 
had come for another advance upon Richmond; but 
at Mine Run he found the enemy in his way in full 
force, and prudently drew back to avoid a battle. 

6. West of the Alleghanies during this autumn 
were fought the battle of Chickamauga, in which 
General Rosecrans was defeated by the rebel General 
Bragg, and the battle of Chattanooga, in which Bragg 
was defeated by General Grant. In the spring of 
1864 the expedition up Red River under Generals 
Banks and Steele proved a disastrous failure ; 
while in February a strong movement upon Atlanta 
b}^ General Sherman also failed. The rebels at this 
period were greatly elated. 

On the 12th of March, General Grant was appointed 
Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the United 
States, and the grade of Lieutenant-General was con- 
ferred upon him by Congress. Meade's veteran army 
of 90,000 men now lay on the noi-thern bank of 
the Rapidan. On the soutliern bank of the river, a 
little to the west, was Lee's disciplined army of 
70,000 Confederates, sheltered by the shrubby trees 
and rough ground of the Wilderness. 

7. On the 5th of May, at the command of General 
Grant, Meade crossed the Rapidan, as the commence- 
ment of another movement upon Richmond. The 
right wing of the army moved westward on the 
south bank of the river upon Lee's left ; but that 
commander, anticipating such action, massed his 
forces there and firmly repelled the attack, even 
gaining some advantage at first. The next day 
Burnside's division arrived, and an attack was or- 
dered upon the whole line. This day's line of battle 



ISU GETTYSBURG TO CLOSE OF WAR. 293 

extended seven miles. The rough ground and 
scrubby woods admitted of but slight use of artillery; 
and regiment faced regiment and blazed away, thin- 
ning each other's ranks with fearful rapidity. Wave 
after wave of the Union host moved over the open 
ground of the forest, rushing upon the sheltered line 
of the Confederates. Before the repeated volleys of 
the enemy the first brigades gradually fell unflinch- 
ingly, and succeeding ones moved over their bodies, 
delivered their fire, as did their comrades, — -then like 
them fell upon the blood-soaked sod. The loss this 
day on either side, in killed, wounded and prisoners, 
could scarcely have been less than 15,000. 

8. Unable to gain any advantage because of the 
sheltered position of the rebels, Grant changed 
his plan ; and moving his divisions one after another 
from the right to the left southward in the rear of 
his front lines, he sought to flank Lee's right v/ing, 
and cut him off from Richmond. 

The rebel commander was also moving his force in 
the same direction, strengthening his right. This 
movement bore the appearance of a retreat; but 
Grant found him again at Spottsylvania, and too 
strong in his intrenchments to be wholly driven from 
them, thougli many prisoners were captured in his ad- 
vanced lines. In the battle of the 9th fell General 
Sedgwick, one of our ablest division leaders. The 10th 
and 11th were spent in unavaiUng assaults upon the 
rel)el lines ; and again Grant attempted to turn Lee's 
right flank in order to cut him off on the south. 
Near Fo Uiver at daylight on the 12th, was made the 
famous charge by the Second Corps, in which it took 
8,000 prisoners and eighteen guns. In this action 
several Maine regiments bore an honorable part. 

9. Tlie army continued moving by the left flank, 
while frequently fighting Lee's army on the front. 
The Second Corps reached Milford on the 21st, and 
on the 23d moved southward and joined the Fifth 



294 HISTORY OF MAIKE. 1864 

Corps at the South Anna river. Here was another 
attack upon the enemy in position ; the arni}^ again 
moving away on the left flank. On the night of 
the 26th our forces moved rapidly southward, and 
across the Pamunky river, where they again en- 
countered the enemy. On the 2d of June the ad- 
vance moved by the left flank to Cold Harbor, 
where another severe contest occurred between di- 
visions. On the 13th the army crossed the Chicka- 
horainy, and on the 15th, the James ; marching thence 
to the vicinity of Petersburg. 

Assaults were quickly begun upon the strong forti- 
fications about the city, and attempts were made to de- 
stroy the southern communications of Richmond ; 
but the success in either purpose was only partial. 
The attempts having failed for the present, Lee de- 
cided to threaten Washington, thinking this would 
induce Grant to release his hold upon Petersburg, 
which still held out against him. Accordingly Ewell 
was sent on a raid up the Shenandoah Valley ; when, 
moving with marvelous rapidit3^ he entered Mary- 
land, ])lundered Hagerstown, sacked Frederick, and 
cut off the communications of Washington with the 
North, even appearing before the forts of the capital 
itself. 

10. Astonished at the presence of a rebel army about 
Washington, and ignorant of the conditions in that 
city, our Governor Cony, on July 13th, issued a pro- 
clamation declaring the national capital in danger, 
and calling for volunteers for one hundred days ser- 
vice for its defense. Throughout the State an earnest 
response was made to the Governor's call. 

Greatly to the relief of the country, the rebel army 
of invasion proved to be small. Being forced to 
move rapidly from point to point lest the scattered 
bodies of Union troops should be concentrated against 
him, Ewell in a few days retreated iato Virginia, with 



1864 GETTYSBCTRG TO CLOSE OF WAR. 295 

mucli plunder, but witliout having drawn Grant in 
the least from his position south of Richmond. 

On the 18th of July the President called for 
600,000 men to serve one, two and three years ; and 
the preparations under the Governor's call were 
dropped, and all efforts given to fill the quota, — 
for a stronger advance upon the rebels rather than 
for the defense of the national capital. 

All through the autumn and winter following, our 
forces were gaining one after another the important 
points on the borders of the Confederacjs though 
not without several reverses. Sheridan, in whose 
army were many of our Maine soldiers, swept the 
valley of the Shenandoah clear of rebel squadrons, 
rendering Washington nearly as safe as New York. 

11. Meanwhile General Sherman had been making 
his splendid march from Atlanta to the Atlantic, 
crossing Georgia and the Carolinas, fairly cutting 
the Confederacy in two in the middle. With him 
were General Slocum and our own Howard, as his 
two chiefs of division. With the Union successes 
there became so much territory to occupy that a 
great number of troops were required merely as gar- 
risons. Hoping with larger armies to speedily crush 
the rebellion and end the destruction of life which 
liad now been going on for three and a half years, 
President Lincoln had, on December 19th, called for 
300,000 more men. Again the loyal people of the 
North nobly met the demand, and by draft and 
bounty, during the winter, brought all the armies up 
to the necessary strength. 

12. On February iOth, Sherman took Columbia, 
the capital of South Carolina; on the 18th, General 
Gilmn-e occupied Charleston, where the first overt 
ai'.t of reballion was committed. On April 1st and 
21, Grant carried the first and second lines of rebel 
iiitrenchments at Petersburg ; and, in consequence, 
the reb^l government fled from Richmond, the capital 



296 HISTORY OP MAINE. 1805 

of their Confederacy. On the 4th of April, Sheridan 
cut Lee's line of retreat at the west side of Peters- 
burg ; and on the 8th, General Weitzel entered Rich- 
mond. 

These successes were immediately fatal to the 
rebellion. General Lee found it impossible to escape 
the encompassing armies, and to engage in battles 
with the forces gathered against him was certain to 
be the utter destruction of his army. Therefore, on 
the 9th of April, he met Grant at Appomattox Court 
House, and surrendered what remained, and with it 
all hopes of establishing the Confederacy. 

13. In the action of the 29th of March, our Gen- 
eral Chamberlain with his brigade and a battery of 
artillery, after one of the most sanguinary and de- 
termined conflicts of the war, put to rout a rebel 
force much greater than his own. His loss in ofiicers 
and men was very large, and he was himself twice 
painfully wounded. General Grant promoted him 
on the field to the rank of Major-Gen eral, and this 
action was shortly after confirmed by President 
Lincoln. At the capitulation. General Chamberlain's 
brigade was designated to receive the surrender of 
Lee's army. He placed his troops in a straight line, 
extending the distance of a mile. Not a drum beat 
nor bugle sounded, neither was a voice heard, as the 
rebels marched up in parallel line before them, only 
a few feet away, to lay down their arms. As the 
ranks of the vanquished army came up. General 
Chamberlain ordered his men to present arms. This 
honor in the hour of their humiliation brought tears 
to many southern eyes. One officer was heard to 
say, " This is a magnanimity we had not expected. " 

14. Our troops soon began to return home to 
their families and friends. Regiment by regiment 
they appeared in our cities, with countenances sun- 
browned and storm-beaten, their uniforms stained 
and worn, but with their banners waving proudly 



1865 GETTYSBURG TO CLOSE OF WAR. 297 

over them. Not a flag had been lost hy Maine 
troops (lurinof the war, bat they had captured many. 

During tlie war the State had furnished to the 
national armies thirty-one regiments of infantry, three 
regiments of cavalry, one regiment of heavy artillery, 
seven companies of sharpshooters, and thirty com- 
panies of unassigned infantry. Besides these there 
were seven companies of coast guards and six com- 
panies for coast fortifications. These make a total 
of 72,945 ; to which should be added 6,750 men, with 
w)iom the State was credited in the navy and marine 
corps. 

The total number who were killed or died of 
wounds, as shown by the army list, is 2,801; of dis- 
ease, 4,521. To mention the battles in which Maine 
soldiers were engaged would be to recite almost the 
entire list of the war. The blood of our boys has 
mingled with the soil of every State south of the 
Ohio river, sealing it for the Union forever. 

15. The amount of State bounty paid volun- 
teers up to December 31st, 1865, was $4,584,636. 
L'ifteen regiments of infantry, one regiment of cav- 
alry, and six battciies of mounted artillery entered 
service with no State bounty whatever. In addition 
to the State bounties there were paid by towns, 
bounties amounting to 89,695,320. The generosity 
of our ]ieopIe who did not go to the war is one 
of tiie pleasantest features of our history. The bet- 
ter portion of our citizens of both sexes were almost 
untiring in their contributions of money, labor and 
needed articles in aid of sick and wounded soldiers. 
Nearly every household had its martyr ; and their 
memory will be cherished in the hearts of all who 
know their noble deeds. 



Wliat is said of the rebel army that entered Maryland, at the 
last of .Tuno, 1808 ? What rhanjro was made at tins time in 
the command of the army of the Potomac ? What Maine 
commander held a ptomiueut poisitiou at the battle of Gettys- 



298 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1865 

burg ? What Union General fell in this battle ? How many- 
days did the battle continue ? What opposition was there in 
Maine to the draft ordered at this time ? When was the next 
great battle in the East ? Who had then been made commander 
of the Union armies ? After the battle of the Wilderness, toward 
what place did Grant's army move ? What startling movement 
was made by the rebels in July, 1S64 ? What of Sherman's 
march early in the following year ? What caused the flight of 
the rebel government from Richmond ? How was the surren- 
der of Lee's army brought about ? What number of men did 
Maine send into this war ? How many were lost by battle and 
by disease ? What amouut-of money was paid, in bounties by 
this State ? 



1861 STATE DEVELOPMENT. 299 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

1. It is more than a matter of curiosity to observe 
what were the effects of the civil war upon the 
industries of our State. The production and price of 
ch)ths, made from the medium and coarser j^rades of 
\vool, increased immediately; great quantities being 
required for soldiers' garments and military blankets. 
Large quantities of cotton beyond the previous needs 
were used in the manufacture of canvas for tents. 
The cotton and woolen mills, therefore, were gener- 
ally kept busy tln'ough the war, and with large 
l)rufits; for the prices of cloth continually became 
higher, because of the limited supply of wool and of 
the reduction in the sujiply of cotton from the loss 
of the southern product. Prices of nearly all kinds 
of merchandise increased because of the scarcity, 
and, consequently, the high cost of labor, — the 
male laborers being largely in the armies ; while 
j^aper money, which soon became the chief currency, 
depreciated more and more, as the ability to redeem 
it in coin — the only universal currency — became 
less. The cause of this was that we were sending 
large amounts of the latter to other countries in 
pa3-ment for purchases, having proportionately less 
of our own products to sell than formerly. 

2. AVhen the Confederate government succeeded 
ill setting armed vessels ailoat, our ocean carrying 
trade became precarious, and, in consequence, greatly 
diminished. The result was that many of our mer- 
chant vessels were sold to foreigners, fewer vessels 
wcMe built, and the carrying trade passed to other 
nations, principally the English. 

With the close of the war there came a change. 
The supply of wool was greater than ever, and the 



800 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1850-80 

number of factories was no less. Male laborers were 
more numerous, and the cost of labor decreased; but 
the profits from the wool manufacture were greatly 
reduced. The cotton factories did better, for while 
the supply of raw material became plentiful, there 
was, as the price decreased, a greater sale of cotton 
cloth for domestic purposes. The exports of hay 
and grain were not so large ; but our lumber, granite 
and ice industries took a fresh start. 

3. The increase in farm products has been very 
large during the last thirty years ; but in the leading 
articles there have been great fluctuations, owing to 
unfavorable seasons, pests, or a temporary falling off 
in the demand. In 1880, the wheat crop was 66o,71-4: 
bushels, — more than double that of 1850. The oat 
crop, also, was considerably augmented, being 2,265,- 
575 bushels, while Indian corn fell off more than 
one-third. Pease and beans show an increase of 
about fifteen per cent, and the potato crop has more 
than doubled — amounting, in 1880, to 7,999,625 
bushels. The production of butter, also, nearly 
doubled, bringing it up to 14,108,026 pounds, while 
cheese lias fallen off in eqtial proportion. The hay 
product was also one of those that almost doubled 
in quantity, — the figures, in 1880, showing 1,107,778 
tons; while the yield of orchards has quadrupled in 
value, being set down at -11,112,026. The lesser 
crops show similar variations, bixt larger quantity 
and value in the aggregate. 

The great enlargement in the wheat and potato 
crops is owing to the development of Aroostook 
county, comparatively few of whose farms were cul- 
tivated prior to 1850. The greater part of the latter 
crop in that county goes to supply its starch fac- 
tories, which have all sprung up since 1875. There 
are now thirty-two in the county, with an annual 
product of 7,400 tons. 

4. In close connection with the farms are the starch 



1850-80 STATE DEVELOPMENT. 301 

factories, just mentioned, the clieese and batter fac- 
tories, and the canning factories. These are new 
forms of old manufactures, from their enhirgement 
becoming ahnost new industries. By adapting tlie 
articles to reach a larger market they have greatl}'" 
increased their production without augmenting the 
labors of farmers' households. 

In the thirty years we have chosen for examina- 
tion, our live stock has nearly doubled in value, if 
not in numbers, and our annual wool clip has more 
than doubled in quantity,— being, in 1880, 2,776,407 
pounds. 

While, with the exception of wheat and pota- 
toes, our crops in recent years have scarcely kept 
thejr proportion to our growing population, there 
are now other products of large value, which forty 
years ago were not reckoned as articles of profit at 
all. Tliese are granite, slate and ice. The last may 
be called a crop, since it is gathered annually, being 
all the more profitable because its seasoii is that in 
which farm labor is least in demand. There is 
scarcely another crop so secure to Maine as this, from 
the peculiar adaptation of her climate and the purity 
of her waters. For its market, she is almost equally 
sure of the patronage of most of the Atlantic cities 
south of New York, and of those on the Gulf of 
Mexico. The number of hands employed during the 
ice-harvest is about 6,500, and the annual storage 
rarely falls short of 1,000,000 tons. 

6. The supply of granite in our State is practi- 
cally unlimited, but those quarries only which are 
near railroads or navigable waters have yet been 
ojierated to much extent. The granite islands of 
Penobscot Bay have unusually easy opportunities 
for ship[)ing their product, and the industry has been 
carried on to a much greater extent than elsewhere. 
Gray is the principal color of our stone, but black 
granite is found at Addison and St." George, red and 



802 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1828-84 

vuriegated at Jonesport and Calais; and the noted 
white granite oi' Haliowell has long been used for 
monumental woik. The number of men eraplo)^ed 
in this business is estimated at three thousand, to 
whom is paid, on an average, the sura of -11,500,000 
annually. The product of our granite quarries has 
been used in the construction of public buildings, for 
monuments or for paving, as far west as the Missis- 
sippi, and as far south as New Orleans. 

6. It was in 1828 that the first slate quarry was 
opened in Maine, and in 1884 there were eight com- 
2-)anies operating quarries in Monson and Brown ville 
alone, employing some four hundred men. The 
value of our annual product from these, and other 
quarries operated irregularly, is about $200,000. At 
the national centennial at Philadelphia in 1876, 
Maine roofing slate won the first prize for "-strength, 
durability and permanence of color." 

Though lime rock of various qualities exists in 
several parts of the State, it has not been found con- 
venient and suitable for quarrying and burning, 
except in Knox county, on the west side of Penob- 
scot Bay. The amount annually produced here, in 
the three towns of Rockland, Thomaston and Cam- 
den, is about 1,600,000 barrels. 

While there is no sufficient cause for such expec- 
tations of wealth from deposits in Maine of valuable 
metals as were entertained a few years ago, the 
State really furnishes a large number of ores, of 
which several are found in such quantities as might 
yield a good profit for mining. Graphite, lead, iron, 
copper, silver and gold were mined in the State, in 
1880, to the value of about 140,000; and there are 
deposits of other valuable metals still unworked. 

7. According to the most reliable surveys, Maine 
contains 19,132,800 acres, — an area almost equal 
to all the rest of New England In 1880, 6,552,578 
acres were embraced in farms,, leaving upwards of 



186a-88 STATE DEVELOPilENT. 303 

12,000,000 in water surface and wild land. A large 
portion of the last is in forest, from which were cut 
the six or seven million feet of logs reported in the 
census of 1880. This product, when sawed into 
lumber in its various forms, sold at the usual rate to 
tlic amount of $7,933,868. This amount probably 
required something more than the annual growth of 
our forests; and, fortunately for them, our lumber 
jii-oduct is less on the average by fifteen to twenty per 
cent. The amount of lumber sawed in 18G0 was about 
sixteen per cent less; 3'et we had then nine hundred 
and twenty-six saw-mills, against eight hundred and 
forty-eight, in 1880, — showing a reduction in number 
compensated by an increase in capacity. Observa- 
tion shows, also, that the producing mills were those 
nearest railroads or navigable waters. 

There are certain of our woods, which, within a 
few years, have ac(iuired a new value by reason of 
their beauty as material for furniture and for the 
interior finish of buildings, a value which is certain 
to increase largel}^ in the future. The value of 
our softer woods has also been increased by their use 
in the manufacture of pulp, for paper stock and other 
articles. There are live mills in various parts of the 
State which are devoted exclusively to tlie manu- 
facture of wood pulp, while some of the paper mills 
also produce it in limited quantity. The total 
t^apacity of our pulp and paper board mills is given, 
in the annual directory of the paper mills of the 
country for 1887-88, as forty tons of pulp daily. 
Four mills manufacture leather board, reporting a 
capacity of ten tons every twenty-fonr hours. The 
possible paper product is given as 101 tons daily, 
employing eleven mills, — of which two are devoted 
to manilla paper, the others to book and newspaper. 
The actual production is probably twenty-tive per 
cent less than these figures indicate. The paper 
factory at Mechanic Falls (the largest but one in the 



304 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1608-1884 

State) includes six mills, each devoted to its own 
special process in the manufacture. The Cumber- 
land INIills, at Westbrook, are said to form the largest 
paper factory in the world. 

8. From the forest proceeds directly one of the 
earliest industries of enterprising races. This is 
ship-building, and it is the earliest recorded manu- 
facture of Maine. If the readers of this statement 
will turn to the third chapter of this history, they 
will find that Captain John Smith, afterward of 
Virginia, while exploring our coast, in 1614, built 
here "seven boats." But Popham's colony had been 
before him in a larger undertaking, having, in 1607, 
built a vessel. Theirs was the first ship-yard on the 
Kennebec, which, in the modern period, has been a 
greater producer of wooden vessels than any other 
river in the world. 

Not this river alone, but almost all our num- 
erous streams emptying into the ocean have been the 
scene of this industry. In the year 1884, the num- 
ber of sailing vessels and steamers owned in Maine 
was 2,868, with a carrying capacity of 628,954 tons. 
The estimated value of these was 119,415,675. This 
was an increase over 1880 of two hundred vessels, a 
tonnage of 120,614, and a value of -f 5,995,275. 
Were it not for the extensive use of iron ships in 
recent years, the ship-yards of Maine would doubt- 
less now be sending out shipping in largely increased 
quantities. 

9. In the year 1880 there were engaged in the 
fisheries six hundred and six Maine vessels, having a 
tonnage of 17,632 tons ; and above eleven thousand 
persons were engaged in catching, canning and ship- 
ping the fisli. The value of the products of the 
fisheries in that year was estimated at -13,614,178. 
There is a large fluctuation in this industrj^ some 
years exceeding, others falling short of these figures. 
In this business Maine ranks fourth among the 



181080 STATE DEVELOPMENT. 305 

States in the number of persons, and third in capital 
invested, value of products and tonnage of vessels. 

A necessit}^ of manufactories is the iron machinery 
for the various processes in forming the product, 
whether this be stately ships or cotton sheeting. 
Though producing but small quantities of iron, 
Maine sends out from her machine shops great num- 
bers of implements, varying in size from a nail to a 
ton anchor, and machinery, from apple-parers to 
cloth-looms and steam engines. The value of the 
farming tools, made chiefl}' in the factories of Oak- 
land, would reach nearly a million dollars annually. 

10. Workmen having been found in America 
Avho could construct the machinery to manufacture 
cloth by the vast and*untiring power of our water- 
falls, the handdooms, which had so long furnished 
the clothes of the world, rapidly went out of use 
here. Naturally, the first cloth mills in Maine were 
Avoolen factories ; though, in the early days, fa-rmers 
raised flax rather than wool, since wild animals were 
too numerous for sheep-raising to be ])rofitable. At 
first, the good housewife only carried her wool to 
the factory to be carded into "rolls," which she had 
before done with her own hands ; but she still, for 
a long time, wove the family flannels and full cloth, 
carrying the latter to the mills to be " dressed." 

There was a census taken in 1810, b}'" which 
we learn there were then in operation in Maine 
seventy-five carding machines, carding into rolls 
450,255 pounds of wool per annum, and fifty-nine 
fulling mills, dressing 357,386 yards of cloth annu- 
all3% while the household looms turned out, in the 
same period, 453,410 yards of woT)len cloth. Tliis 
census also gave JNIaine the credit of making 811,- 
912 yards of cotton cloth annually. Compared with 
the total manufactures (if the country, Maine ex- 
ceeded its proportion in the ([uantity of clotli pro- 
duced, lu 1850 the number of woolen mills was 



306 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1812-80 

only thirty-six, while in 1880 they numbered ninety- 
three, employing 3,095 persons ; and the value of 
their annual product at wholesale prices was stated 
as '16,686,078. They are now very generally located 
in small villages ; while cotton mills, employing a 
larger number of operatives, usually cause a large 
municii^al growth. 

11. Cotton factories, almost from the first had 
a capacity for producing a much greater number of 
yards of cloth than the woolen factories, and soon 
became the more numerous. The earliest of the 
present cotton manufacturers of the State appears to 
be the Cabot Company of Brunswick, which was 
the successor of the " Maine Cotton and Woolen 
Factory," which was incorporated in 1812. In 1831 
the York Manufacturing Company, of Saco, and the 
Portsmouth Company, of South Berwick, were 
started, and in 1844 the Hallowell Company was 
organized. Biddeford followed in 1845; and in 1846 
was built the first cotton mill in Lewiston, which 
has now become the chief cotton manufacturing city 
in Maine. In the same 3^ear cotton manufacturing 
was commenced in Augusta, and Saccarappa entered 
the list in 1858. Waterville followed in 1874, Lis- 
bon in the next year, Sanford in 1877, and Richmond 
in 1881. 

By the census of 1880 it appears that the annual 
production of cotton cloths in Maine, at that period, 
was 144,368,675 yards, weighing 44,352,698 pounds, 
and having a value of $13,319,363. The number of 
persons employed was 11,864 

12. No large industrj^ in recent years, has shown 
such a marked change as the manufacture of boots 
and shoes. Still carried on to a very limited extent 
as formerly, when all the shoes worn in a village 
were made in the village, it has also passed nearly 
out of the intermediate stage, when a large central 
establishment sent out its leather and linings to 



1S50-80 STATE DEVELOPMENT. 307 

binders and bottoraers, who, in many instances, 
lived in the midst of farming communities hundreds 
of miles away. By the invention of machinery for 
lusting, sewing, pegging and other operations, the 
work of making a shoe, which was formerly done by 
three persons (the cutter, the binder and the bot- 
tomer), is now divided among a large number. By 
this method tliere is a great reduction in the cost of 
making, so that the manufacture has been almost 
wholly brought into great factories, generally in 
cities or large villages. In accordance with this 
movement, we find that in 1870 there were in Maine 
eighty-five shoe-making establishments, while ten 
3'ears later, there were but fifty-two. Yet, in the 
former 3^ear, the number of persons emplo37ed was 
but 2,105 against 3,919 in 1880. At the first date, 
the capital invested was $667,300, with a product 
valued at $3,155,221, which, at the last, had increased 
to a capital of $1,369,000, and a product of $5,823,- 
541. 

13. Several other industries have undergone sim- 
ilar changes, while the kinds have multiplied; the 
number mentioned as now established in the State 
being nearly one hundred and fifty. There is a 
difficulty in fixing the date of the beginning of 
nearly all the industries, from the lack of public 
record ; but b}^ going back to the year 1810, when 
some partial statistics were compiled, we may make 
a radical start; but in the census of 1850 we have a 
much nearer approach to completeness. From the 
report of the latter date it appears that our manufacto- 
ries then numbered 3,974, employii^ 28,020 persons, 
and had a j'carly production valued at $24,661,057. 
By the still more satisfactory statistical work of 
1880 it is shown tliat our manufactories liad increased 
to 4,481, employing 52,954 jjcrsons, and yielding an 
annual product of $79,829,793. The individual indus- 
tries had, in the intervening years, suffered many 



308 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1S80 

fluctuations, the leading industries being sometimes 
affected to an extent very perceptible in the general 
finances. 

14. The total amount of power used by the man- 
ufactories of this State in 1880 was 100,476 horse- 
powers, of which 79,717 was from water, and 20,759 
from steam. The latter is more costly than water 
power, and is used chiefly because economy of 
transportation of the material and the product, or 
the supply of labor, has induced location of the fac- 
tory at a point where water power is insufficient. 

An immense amount of power is running to Avaste 
in Maine, because it is not yet sufficiently accessible. 
Our solid land holds more than 1,600 lakes, at a 
mean elevation of 600 feet above the sea, kept full 
and flowing by rains and mists and winter snows. 
These lakes cover more than 2,300 square miles of 
surface ; their streams, in their course toward the 
sea, supplying a power greater than that of 6,000,000 
horses. Properly utilized, this is equivalent to great 
wealth. The chief means to make these powers 
practically useful to our citizens are our railroads. 
Tlio opening of one at once gives an additional 
value to property along its line. Maine has now 
twenty-four railroads, varying in length from one 
mile up to 645 miles, — the last being the length of 
the Maine Central Railroad system. 

15. The first railroad for steam cars operated in 
New England was the Boston and Lowell, in Massa- 
chusetts, completed in 1835 ; the second one was put 
in operation in Maine in 1836, and connected Bangor 
and Oldtown. It was equipped with cars brought 
from England, and these were drawn by locomotives 
made by the earliest engine builder, George Stephen- 
son. The track was made of flat iron bars, three- 
fourths of an inch thick, laid on wooden stringers. 
Yet this was not the road from which our present 
railroad system grew, nor about which the new roads 



1F33-88 STATE DEVELOPMENT. 309 

clasteicd. In 18(39 it was purchased by the 
European and North American Railway, to escape 
the competition of a line parallel to its own, and 
has linally been discontinned. 

The Maine Central IJailroad Compan}^ whose 
roads constitute the great truid^ line of the State, 
was organized in 1862, and commenced business by 
consolidating two railroads, — the Androscoggin and 
Kennebec and the Penobscot and Kennebec, — both 
chartered in 1845, but the first not completed until 
1848, nor the last until 1855. In 1871 the consoli- 
dated line was extended from Danville Junction, its 
former southern terminus, to Cumberland, where it 
formed a junction with the Portland and Kennebec 
Kailroad, which it had leased. The latter, having 
previously built a branch to Path, completed its line 
to Augusta in 1852. With this road was also added, 
by virtue of its lease, the Somerset and Kennebec 
Pailroad, extending from Augusta to Skowhegan. 
In 1871 the new truidc line leased the Androscoggin 
Pailroad — extending from Prnnswick to Leeds 
Junction and Lewiston, — also the section of road 
from Leeds to Farmington, since extended to 
Phillips. 

16. All these roads in 1873 became consolidated 
into one piece of property bearing the name of the 
corporation which had united them. A further 
extension of the jNlaine Central system was made by 
the acquisition of the Pelfast and JMoosehead road, 
extending from Burnham Junction to Pelfast; of 
that from Dexter to Newport : of the Eastern Maine 
Railroad, connecting Pangor and Bucksport ; of the 
European and North American Railway, from Ban- 
gor to Vanceboro, on our eastern border ; by the 
building of the Mount Desert branch from Bangor, 
through Ellsworth, to Mount Desert Ferry, com- 
pleted in 1884; and by a perpetual leas* of the 
Portland & Ogdensburg road, in the present year. 



310 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1837-88 

These form a powerful corporation ; but so far 
from being oppressive or injurious to the people, 
the consolidation has been of general advantage ; 
for it has placed the control of these several 
roads in the hands of a single company, with a 
harmony of management that has afforded greater 
convenience to patrons than formerly, has kept the 
roads in better condition, and by avoiding the 
expense of so many sets of officers, has been able to 
earn dividends for its stockholders without exorbi- 
tant transportation rates. 

17. Connected with this road, bj^ means of a 
ferry, is the Knox and Lincoln Railroad — opened in 
1871, — extending to Rockland on Penobscot Bay. 
Another connection is the Somerset Railroad, opened 
in 1875, and extending from the junction at Oakland 
to Anson on the Kennebec. Another important 
road is the Boston and Maine Railroad, which con- 
nects with the Maine system at Portland, and by 
means of numerous lines between that city and Bos- 
ton and in southern New Hampshire, affords ea.sy 
communication in all those directions. This great 
road has grown from two and one-half miles of road, 
built from Salmon Falls in New Hampshire to South 
Berwick in Maine, under a charter granted in 1836. 
After two acts of legislature, eacli authorizing some 
change of location or of name, and a new charter in 
1871, the line was completed to Portland in 1873. 
The Portland, Saco & Portsmouth Railroad (next 
to the oldest of our roads), was chartered in 1837, 
and on its completion in 1812, became part of a 
through line from Portland to Boston. In 1871 it 
was leased to the Eastern Railroad for nine hun- 
dred and ninety-nine years, but in 1881 came under 

'the management of the Boston & Maine Railroad, 
by the consolidation of the two latter. 

18. Another road of the Portland system is the 
Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad, which was 



1851-88 STATE DEVELOPMENT. 311 

opened to Conway, N. H., in 1871, and to Lunen- 
burg in 1875; when, by means of its connections, it 
became one of the trunk lines to the West. It was 
leased to the Maine Central Railroad in 1888. There 
is probably no railroad that excels it in the beauty 
and grandeur of the views afforded along its line. 

The Portland and Rochester Railroad was opened 
to the Saco river in 1851, and then, by a perpetual 
lease, became a part of the Boston and Maine Rail- 
road system. 

A great event for Portland transpired in 1853, 
when that city was connected with ^Montreal by 
means of the completion of the Atlantic and St. 
Lawrence Railroad. This road purchased wharf 
property in Portland, upon which has been htted up 
as good terminal facilities for a line of ocean steamers 
as can be found on the Atlantic coast. In the 3"ear 
of this road's completion it was leased to the Grand 
Trunk Railway of Canada for nine hundred and 
ninety-nine years. Connected with the Grand 
Trunk road is the Rumford Falls and Buckfield 
road, extending from its junction with the Grand 
Trunk at Mechanic Falls to Canton Point on the 
Androscoggin. 

19. One of the most important roads of the Ban- 
gor system is the European and North American 
Railway, extending from that city to our eastern 
border, wiiere it connects with the New Brunswick 
system of railroads. In aid of its construction 
through an unsettled region, the State gave the tim- 
ber on ten of its townships, and claiais on the national 
government from which were realized $824,956. The 
line was completed in 1871. and eleven j-ears later 
became the property of the Maine Central Railroad 
by a perpetual lease. 

The valuable slate quarries and tlie noble lakes, 
no less than the lumber tracts and the rich farms of 
Piscataquis couutj^ demanded communication with 



312 HISTORY OE MAINE. 1856-S6 

more populous regions, and this was found in 1869, 
when the Bangor and Piscataquis Eaih^oad was com- 
pleted to Dover, extended to Bhinchard in 1877, and 
to the foot of Moosehead Lake in 1884. 

20. Eastern Maine also had a local road as early 
as 1856, now extended so as to connect the Schoodic 
River towns with Calais. In 1873 the nucleus of an 
Aroostook system of railroads was begun by a line 
connecting at the State boundarj^ with the New 
Brunswick Railway, and extended to Caribou in 
1875, and to Presque Isle in 1882. 

The total number of miles of railroad for steam- 
cars in Maine in the 3^ear 1886 was 1,167, while the 
entire length of lines, a part or all of which are 
within the State, is 6,316. 

In Portland, x4uburn, and Lewiston, street rail- 
roads have for some years been in operation ; the 
cars being drawn by horses. 

With these conveniences of transportation, the 
telegraph and telephone seem more than ever a 
necessity. Many short lines of the latter are in use 
in the State ; while no less than seven telegraph 
companies oj)erate lines in jNIaine. At every station 
along our numerous railroads, and at half a hundred 
villages beside, the potent little instruments are 
heard ticking out their messages from all parts of 
the world. 



1865-77 STATE DEVELOPMENT. 313 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

1. Following the War of the Rebellion, the spirit of 
enterprise, with sanguine expectation, and a certain 
recklessness attending the prevalence of the ''green- 
back "■ fallacjs led to pledges of town and city credit 
in aid of railroads and other public improvements. 
Most towns were already burdened b}' soldiers' 
bounties and other indebtedness, and the further 
straining of their credit was in many instances 
damaging to their prosperity. Therefore, to re- 
strain their action in some degree and thus to pre- 
vent the ruin of municipal credit, an amendment to 
the Constitution of the State was adopted in 1877, 
prohibiting cities and towns from creating any debt 
or liability which, in the aggregate with any preced- 
ing debt, should exceed five per cent of the last 
regular valuation. The good effects of this amend- 
ment have been increasingly manifest. 

With the building of the first railroads in Maine 
began the influx of laborers: and the peasant from 
Erin wielded the pick and shovel, and built his cabin 
of slabs and turf along the line of the growing road- 
beds, — so that the elderly Irishmen of to-day are war- 
ranted in the boast that they were the builders of 
our railroads. Later they might well assert that their 
children ran our factories and our kitchens. There 
has also been a considerable influx of English and 
Scotch, confined chiefly to our cloth factory towns ; 
while in our slate regions, and among our iron 
workers, the Welsh people are found in fair propor- 
tion. 

2. In the later years of the civil war, there came a 
change in the immigration. The French Canadians 
iVoui the Madawaska region and from Lower Canada 



314 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1869-80 

began quietly, one by one, to come in — to till our 
farms and run our mills ; and they now form a 
numerous portion of the inhabitants of our manufac- 
turing towns, and are rapidly becoming good citizens. 

Widely different was the coming of our latest 
immigrants, the Swedes. The tirst of these came as 
a colony, and their arrival was an interesting event 
to the whole State. In 1869 a commission was 
appointed by the State to promote the settlement of 
the public lands, of which those remaining were in 
Aroostook county. From various sources several of 
our public men had received favorable impressions 
of the qualities of the Swedish peasantry ; there- 
fore, early in 1(S70, Hon. William W. Thomas, jr., of 
Portland, was sent to Sweden to recruit a colony. 
He was successful ; and they sailed from Sweden 
in June, 1870, reaching Halifax on the 13th of July. 
On Friday, the 22d, they drove across the border 
into Maine. 

3. The colony numbered twenty-two men, eleven 
women and eighteen children, — in all, fifty-one per- 
sons. They presented an excellent appearance; and 
among them, after paying the expenses of their pas- 
sage, they brought into the State $3,000. On Sat- 
urday, July 23d, they reached their new home, to 
which they promptly gave the name of New Sweden. 
The colony was well pleased with the country, and 
their messages to friends were so favorable that 
large numbers of their countrymen have followed 
them, and have also prospered ; so that now no less 
than three towns are chiefly populated by Swedes. 
They have brought into Maine more than one hun- 
dred thousand dollars in coin, beside the vastly 
greater value of their character, skill and strength. 

In 1880 we had, out of a total population of 
648,936, a foreign element numbering 58,883, while 
there were in other States of the Union 182,257 
natives of Maine. 



184G-69 STATE DFA'P^LOPMENT. 315 

In the first period the inhabitants of Maine were 
almost wholly Protestant, and in general there was 
unanimity in matters of religion so far as concerned 
the public schools. With the present conditions, the 
educational question has become more difficult, not 
only on account of religious differences, but from the 
ignorance of the new element, and the difliculties 
caused by our large factories, which too readily 
receive children as operatives when they should be 
in school. 

•1. Previous to 1846 no special means existed 
for obtaining information about our schools, nor for 
qualifying their instructors. Teachers were isolated 
from each other ; schoolhouses were neglected and 
frequently unfit for their purpose, and furnished with 
seats that were utterly uncomfortable. Neither wall 
maps nor blackboards were found, and the discipline 
was generally defective, often brutal. In the year 
mentioned the Legislature established a State board 
of education and provided for holding a teachers' 
institute annually in every county. The eifect of 
this was very great, and rapid improvement was 
made in our schools until 1852, when this whole val- 
uable system was swept away by another legislature, 
and county school commissioners appointed by the 
Governor were substituted. This S3'stem proved a 
failure ; and two years later it was followed by a State 
superintendeucy, formed by a single officer appointed 
by the Governor for a term of three years. Yet the 
retrogression in the schools still continued, until 
1857, when the institutes were re-established. Not 
being properly sustained, these did not succeed as 
formerly; and in a few years they were discontinued. 
The only real progress was the introduction of 
graded schools, and the establishment of a normal 
school at Farinington for training teachers. 

5. In 1869 Hon. Warren Johnson, then superin- 
tendent of schools, secured a law for the api)oiut- 



316 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1831-78 

ment of county supervisors, who also constituted a 
State Board of Education. Institutes were re-estab- 
lished, and again popular interest was awakened ; 
and schools improved until 1873, when the law 
establishing county supervisors was repealed. How- 
ever, there was a permanent gain at this time in the 
establishment at Castine of a second normal school, 
which was opened for pupils in 1873. 

The institutes were continued by various means a 
few years longer, and were succeeded b}'- State and 
county educational associations, and the State Ped- 
agogical Society. These unofficial organizations, 
formed by the more public-spirited of our educators, 
have done what they could, and have succeeded with 
the aid of the normal schools in keeping our public 
schools from retrogression. 

6. In 1878 Gorham Academy, established in 
1803, was changed to a normal school ; and in the 
same year a training school for teachers was estab- 
lished in the Madawaska region at the northeast 
extremity of the State, for the benefit, chiefly, of our 
youth of French parentage in that region. Provision 
had also been made by the State for normal classes 
in the Maine Central Institute at Pittsfield, and at 
the Oak Grove Seminar}'- at Vassalboro, the latter 
under the direction of the Society of Friends. Many, 
also, of our private schools of higher grade give 
special attention to pedagogical training. 

To our collegiate institutions there have been 
added Westbrook Seminary, incorporated in 1831, 
— being the first school of this kind in New England 
under the patronage of the Universalists ; the State 
College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, at Orono, 
established in 1868; and Maine State Seminary at 
Lewiston, incorporated and endowed by the State in 
1855, further endowed by its friends, and changed 
into "Bates College" in 1863; to which a Free 
Baptist Theological Seminary was added in 1870. 



1784-1880 STATE DEVELOP.MENT. 317 

With these various means of improvement have 
come better city and town high schools, and incor- 
porated schools with normal classes ; and among all 
these there has been a friendly rivalry, with reciprocal 
influences, tending to sustain public interest, and to 
develop individual and local methods. The most 
marked feature in education in the recent period is 
the increased attention given to physics and the in- 
dustrial arts. A further aid in the improvement of 
our rural schools has been found in the gradual sub- 
stitution of the town for the district system of man- 
agement, by which the length of the school terms 
is equalized and increased, and better qualified 
teachers are provided. 

7. One of our most effective educational forces 
for youth as well as for mature persons, is the news- 
paper press, whose influence is direct and universal. 
On the 31st da}^ of December, 1784, no newspaper 
had ever been issued in Maine ; from the first day of 
1785 we liave never been without one. From the 
Falmouth G-azette and Weeklij Advertiser, of Port- 
land, which had its birth on that date, have sprung 
others, and from its ojBfice have come several per- 
sons of eminence in this and other callings. The 
Portland Transcrij)t, our first and still our chief lit- 
erary paper, was founded in 1837. The Chrixtian 
Mirror and Ziona Advocate, our two leading relig- 
ious papers have both been published for more 
than half a centur}', while the Eastern Arytis fol- 
lows close after them. The Kennebec Journal was 
first published in the autumn of 1823, and the 
Whif/ and Courier, of Bangor, was formed from 
papers etablished in 1833 and 1834 respectively. A 
newspaper now for many years of large influence is 
the Lewiston Journal, founded in 1847. Our news- 
papers, since Maine became a State, have increased 
faster in proportion than the population, in circula- 
tion, if not in numbers. From inquiry made in 



'318 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1883 

1886, it is learned that the number of weekly papers 
published in that year was one liundred and eight, 
with eleven dailies ; and there were semi-monthlies, 
monthlies and qnarterlies to the number of twentj- 
six. 

8. It was, no doubt, the influence of the higher 
education, as well as of his noble war record, that 
in 1866 induced the election of General Joshua L. 
Chamberlain as governor of the State ; and both the 
schools and the military organizations received a 
beneficial impulse from his official action. He was 
succeeded in 1871 by Hon Sidney Perham, a worthy 
citizen of Oxford County, an earnest advocate of 
the temperance cause, and an active public man. His 
successor in 1874 was Hon. Nelson Dingle)^ jr., of 
Lewiston, a wise economist and an effective forwarder 
of the interests of Maine. The next chief magis- 
trate was General Selden Connor, a valiant soldier 
and courtly gentleman, who served the State from 
1876 to 1879, when Dr. Alonzo Garcelon, of Lewis- 
ton, was chosen to succeed him. The latter had 
done the country valuable service during the war as 
Surgeon-General of the State, but he was unfortunate 
in being associated as chief magistrate with the most 
disgraceful political year that Maine has known ; 
and he served but a single term. His successor was 
Daniel F. Davis, of Corinth, a promising young- 
lawyer, who had made a good record during the war 
without reaching a rank higher than corporal. 

9. Colonel Harris M. Plaisted, another worthy 
soldier, succeeded Governor Davis in 1881. He was 
the first governor elected after the gubernatorial 
term had been made two years, and the only one of 
our governors who was a ''greenbacker " in politics. 
His successor in 1883 was Colonel Frederick Robie, 
of Gorham, — worthy physician and farmer as well 
as soldier. Governor Robie was one of our mo.st 
popular chief magistrates. He was re-elected in 



I 



1886-S STATE DEVELOPMENT. 319 

1885, and in 1887 gavf way ti» Goveinor Bodwell. 
Mr. Bodwell began life as a farmer's boy, and became 
successively shoemakei-. a driver of quarry teams, 
quarry owner and laborer, and finally one of the 
chief developers of the large granite interests of 
Maine. He died much lamented, before the expira- 
tion of his first term, being the second of our gov 
ernors to die in office. 

In the years following the war, when the at- 
tention of our people turned moreentirelj'to industrial 
affairs, there sj)rang up a great interest in agricul- 
tural and manufacturing exhibits, and the State, 
county and town fairs increased in number and 
magnitude, much to the advantage of most of the 
interests represented Among those who contributed 
largely to the stock entries of the fairs was tl)e 
family of which Edwin C. Burleigh, of Bangor, 
is a member. Mr. Burleigh served several years as 
land agent, and later, as State treasurer, — and has 
become well acquainted with the interests of the 
northern part of the State. In the present year he 
received the Republican nomination for governor, 
and on September 10th was elected by a handsome 
majority over all competitors. 

10. Maine has now reached an age when many of 
her towns can celebrate their centennials : and with 
the events of three generations of men, many of 
which are now i)erceived to liave had a far-reaching 
influence, the rehearsal of their histor}^ possesses a 
growing interest. As one of our chief towns, Port- 
land has in its annals many incidents of importance 
to the State as a whole. In common with most of 
our larger villages, she has known large fires in both 
her earlier and later periods, but none in the State 
has ever reached the magnitude of the conflagration 
which swept through this city in 186t), starting on 
the 4th of July, from a carelessly thrown fire-cracker. 
After raging above fifteen hours, a change of wind 



320 HISTORY OF MAINE. 1866-86 

enabled the numerous firemen and engines of its 
own and other cities, to overcome the insatiate 
enemy. In those hours it had destroyed fifteen hun- 
dred buildings, laid in ashes fift\^-eight streets and 
courts — eight miles of closely-built thoroughfares — 
thrown ten thousand of its thirty thousand inhabi- 
tants, houseless and penniless, upon the charity of 
others, and destroj-ed, it is believed, upward of ten 
millions of dollars worth of property. 

11. After this calamity there was much improve- 
ment in the fire departments of most of the 
cities and larger villages in the State, and steam 
fire-engines began to take the places of those 
operated by hand, so that now the use of one of 
the latter is a rarity. The steam fire-engine being 
much more effective, and greater care being taken 
with respect to fires, no disaster of proportional 
magnitude from this cause again occurred in Maine 
for twenty years. Portland had been rebuilt with 
nobler edifices, better streets, and had " beauty for 
ashes/' enlarged railroad accommodations, larger 
commerce and augmented wealth. In 1886 she 
celebrated her centennial as a town in a manner 
worthy of her historj^ and her prosperity. 

In the autumn of this very year the fire-demon 
again fell upon the State, and, first, the village of 
Farmington, early in October, suffered the destruc- 
tion of nearly one half of its principal business 
street. The ashes of Farmington were scarcely cold 
when the flames enwrap};ed the greater portion of 
the village of Eastport, consuming nearly all its 
numerous fish establishments, stores, and many 
dwellings. Generously aided, however, its hardy 
and enterprising citizens soon rebuilt their houses 
and regained their business, and traces of the great 
fire are being rapidly hidden away. 

12. The last fifty years have been marked by 
social as well as industrial and commercial changes. 



1888 STATE DEVELOPMENT. 321 

Formerly, no Maine conunuiiit}", as a whole, observed 
more than the two religious days, appointed for fast- 
ing and for thanksgiving, and the civic festival of 
Independence Day. With larger intelligence and 
better acquaintance of the religious sects with each 
other, there has come a larger tolerance of dif- 
fering forms of belief and worship, a dismissal of 
l)rejudices, and an observance by the Protestant sects 
generally, of Christmas, while many congregations 
beside those of the Episcopalians, observe Easter 
Sunday, and do not wholly disregard Good Friday 
and Ascension Day. Of secular holidays we have 
gained Washington's Birthday ; the civil wai- gave us 
Memorial Day; the village improvement societies, 
l)erhaps, as mucii as any influence, have given us 
Arbor Day ; while the physical toilers, claiming a 
date for themselves, have given us Labor Day. 

13. Camp-meetings have become a uniform feature 
of our summer life, and camp-grounds have been 
established at many points in tlie State, Livermore, 
Fryeburg, Northport, Old Orchard Beach, and 
Maranocook have come to be familiar names to the 
ears of many people beyond the limits of the 
State. The last two places have a wider use than 
that of religious meetings only. While the Old 
Orchard grounds are opened for temperance associa- 
tions, Maranocook, on the shores of a lovely lake, 
is annually the scene also of musical festivals and 
aquatic sports. 

All these things are indicative of more courteous 
relations and of general economic ease. An observer 
among the people would find that the wage-workers 
dwell in better houses, and have more of the com- 
forts, and even of the luxuries of life, than did 
many of the princes of Europe when this country 
was first discovered by their rude mariners. The 
increase of individual wealth is not without its 
benefits to others than its possessors. A wealthy 



822 HISTORY OF MAIXE. 1887 

class creates a demand for articles of personal ap- 
parel, furniture, and ornament of more elaborate 
workmanship than would exist without them, and 
which require large numbers of extra workmen. 
Thus the money of the rich flows out to the skilful 
artisan and needlewoman, providing multitudes with 
an abundant support, who, without this employment, 
would of necessity overcrowd the ranks in less skil- 
ful occupations. 

That those whose hands must earn their daily 
bread are sharing the general prosperity of the 
period is shown by the large deposits in our savings 
banks, made chiefly by farmers and the industrious 
and prudent wage-workers. The official report for 
1887 showed there were then fifty-six of these insti- 
tions in Maine, with 119,229 depositors, which during 
the year had increased by 4,538. The deposits at the 
close of year were $38,819,643; having increased 
during the year to the extent of $1,604,571. 

14. In the period since the civil war Maine has 
been discovered anew. People of wealth, who 
could spend at least a large portion of each year in 
any part of the world which might prove most pleas- 
ant to them, have found in our good State a summer 
climate tempered to their liking. The purity of its 
air, the degree and uniformity of its temperature, 
and the mildness of its breezes, whether coming 
from the mountains or the ocean, impregnated with 
salty vapors, or bearing the balsam of piny forests, 
— form a combination uncommonly fitted to personal 
comfort, and the restoration of diminished energies. 

The scenery is not less satisfactory. The sea-line 
of the State is about two hundred miles direct ; but 
following the sinuosities of the shore it is nearly 
twenty-five hundred. All this space is interspersed 
with beaches of pebbles or sand, frequently firm 
enough for carriages. Between these project pictur- 
esque ledges, often precipitous, sometimes rising in- 



1888 statp: development. 323 

land to mountains. Around them are woi)ds, often 
of the unstunted growth of the interior uplands. 

15. The extreme lengtli of Maine, from northeast 
to southwest, is three hundred and three miles, and 
the greatest breadth is two hnndred and eighty-eiglit 
miles. The settlements extend on an average only 
about eiglit}' miles inland. North of this limit, 
rarely broken by a clearing, except on the east, is 
a vast forest, extending beyond the Canada line. 
This extensive tract affords a noble luinting ground, 
stocked with deer, caribou, moose, and bear. 

A ride after horses through the older parts of 
Maine brings before the eyes of the traveler wider 
vistas and more charming views than are afforded by 
the railroads, for he descends lower into the valleys 
and rises higher upon the hills. The roads are uni- 
formly' good, without interruption by turnpike gate, 
or toll, even at the longest and finest bridges. The 
houses are generally neat and commodious, and the 
people orderly and courteous. 

16. These features in our State are not to be 
despised, even by the most sordid ; for owing to their 
attraction, millions of dollars are annually expended 
within our borders by tourists and summer residents. 
It thus becomes a matter of pecuniar}' interest, as 
well as of local and State pride, that we continue to 
improve all those features that make Maine desirable. 
As our State becomes known to the wealthy and 
enterprising, their capital will be increasingly in- 
vested here, to develop her abundant resources, and 
thus further enhance her prosperity. 



SUPPLKMENTAUV XOTES. 



Acting Governors. — In order not to interrupt 
the movement of the narrative, and the connection 
of events in the bod}^ of this history, mention was 
omitted of two of our acting- governors. 

The gubernatorial office being vacated by the death 
of Governor Lincohi, in 1829, the President of the 
Senate, Nathan Cutler of Farmington, by provision 
of the Constitution for such an emergency, acted as 
governor during the remainder of the term. 

In like manner, Edward Ivavanagh, of Newcastle, 
took the seat of Governor Fairlield, when the latter 
was, in March, 1843, elected United States Senator. 

Climate. — In comparing Maine with the interior 
districts of the continent in substantially the same 
latitude, it appears that its summer temperature is 
lower by over twenty per cent of their temperature, 
reckoning from the freezing point of water. The 
mean winter temperature of the northern third of 
Maine is 14°.01 ; of the southern two-thirds, 22^90 ; 
the mean for the whole State, 40°. 88. The mean 
winter tem[)erature of districts west of Maine in the 
same latitude of observation, at many points ranging 
from Ikirlingtoh, Vt., to Fort Ripley, Minn., is 
18^.53. The winter in Maine, therefore, is not so 
severe as in the corresponding latitudes in the in- 
terior [ Varne(/'$ Gazeteer of Maine.'] 

Mount Desert (page 27). — There is a diversity 
of pronunciation of this name, some placing the 
accent on the last syllable, as though it were a 
French word. In the year 1604, the voyager Champ- 
lain named this island "Mons Deserts." Some Eng- 
lish narratives of voyages in ^^ears following, speak 
of the island as Mount Desert, though others called 



326 HISTORY OF MAINE. 

it Mount Mausel. Whichever language has the 
priority of the a[)plicatioii, it is only those who use 
the English pronunciation of the name as now spelled 
who are consistent philologists ; for those who affect 
the French speak half the name in English. It is 
not the last, but both words, which constitute the 
name of the island in either language. 

Railroads (pages 257, 308). — In the statement 
that our " first railroad charter " was granted in 
1836, steam railroad was meant, — that being the new 
power for locomotion. Our first rail road charters, 
however, were granted in 1832, — both being for 
horse-railroads for the conveyance of freight. These 
were only tramways, a sort of modification of the 
ancient turnpike, of which the plank road was 
another form. 

The first railroad in America was built in Quincy, 
Mass., in 1825-26, to connect the noted granite quar- 
ries in that town with tide-water, wliich was found on 
the Neponset River. Its main line was about three 
miles in length, and it was operated only by horse- 
power. Its first use was to convey the stone for 
Bunker Hill monument. 

One of the roads chartered in Maine in 1832 con- 
nected Calais and Milltown, and was two miles long ; 
the other road was to connect Bangor and Oldtown, 
but was not built the whole distance for several 
years. In the meantime it passed to another owner- 
ship, with a later charter. When completed in 1836, 
as has been stated, it was operated by steam power. 

PiGWACKET. — In the early accounts of the Indian 
wars, this was the name applied to tlie chief village 
or group of villages of Indians on the head-waters 
of the Saco River, while the aborigines themselves 
were called Pigwackets. Later, the name came to 
be spelled Pequaket, which is more euphonious, if not 
more correct. The general name for the Indians 
who inhabited the region about this river is Sokokis^ 



SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES. 327 

and from this term, it is believed, the desiguiitioii of 
the river Saco, has come. 

Ralle (page 262). — The proper orthography of 
the name of the noted priest of the Norridgewocks, 
is, no doubt, Rash. The spelling " Ralle " is found 
in some of the earlier accounts of him, and is used 
in this book because it gives to English readers the 
true pronunciation of his name. 

Royal ''R" (ptige 146). — This is the term used 
by Williamson (in his annals of the period between 
the close of tlie Indian wars and the opening of the 
Revolution) in describing the mark placed upon the 
choice pine-trees in the accessible forests of Maine, 
by the King's surveyor. The token long in use by 
the British admiral t}' is in the form of an arrow (the 
"broad arrow" is the usual term), and it seems that 
should have been the mark cut upon the pines, had 
the claim been national rather than personal. Mr. 
Williamson was born at a date early enough to have 
known lumbermen to whom these marks were familiar, 
and we must believe him to be correct in stating that 
the token of the King's ownership affixed to the trees 
was the capital R, this being the initial letter of the 
word Ilex, king. 

Senators and Representatives of the U. S. 

— (^wing to the plan of this work, it was not practi- 
cable to mention even the most eminent of our 
national representatives, except where their election 
affected the incumbency of the State officers. The 
following is a complete list of senators from the 
formation of the State to the present time : — 

"(Abbreviations — rs., resigned; f. v., tilled vacancy ; d., died.) 

Clioice. Name. PoUtics. Residence. Term of Office. 

-^- (John Holnios, Rep. Alfred, 1820-1827 

- I Jchii Chamller, Rep. MoiiinouUi, 1820-1823 

I Alluoii K. Parris, Rep. Portland (rs.), 1827-1828 
_; j Apiiointeil Juilge of S. J. Court. 

e5 ■] John Holmes, X. Rep. Alfre.l (f. v.), 1829-1833 

i John Chandler, D. Rep. Monmouth, 182:1-1829 



328 



HISTORY OF MAINE. 



Ether Sliepley, D. Rep. Saco{rs.), 

Appointed Judge of S. J. Court. 



\ Jiidah Dana. Deni. 

I Riiel Williams, Dem. 

[ Peleg Sprague, X. Rep. 

{Ruel Williams, Dem. 

Resigned Feb., 184.3. 
John Fairfield, Dem. 

John Ruggles, Dem. 

f John Fairfield, Dem. 

Wyman B. S. Moor. Dem. 

-j Appointed by Goveraor. 

I Hannibal Hamlin, Dem. 

[ George Evans, Whig, 

f Hannibal Hamlin, Dem. 

Elected Governor of State. 
^ Amo3 Xoiirse, Kep. 

Appointed by Governor. 
[James W. Bradbury, Dem. 



( Hannibal Hamlin, 

Elected V: 
J Lot M. Morrill 

i 



Fryeburg (i". v.), 
Augusta 1 1'. v.), 
Hailowell, 
Augusta, 

Saco (f. v.). 
Tliomaston, 
Saco (d.), 
"Waterville (f . v.), 

Hampden (f. v.), 
Gardiner, 

Hampden (rs.), 

Bath (f. v.), 

Augusta, 

Hampden, 



1836-1837 
1837-183;^ 
1829-1835 



1843-1845 
18-35-1841 

1845-1847 
1848-1840 

1848-1851 
1841-1847 



Wiu. Pitt Fessenden, 



Rep. 

ice-president of United State's. 

Kep. Augusta (f . 



■1853 
■1861 



Elected, 1854, for term commencing 1853, on account 
of Legislature to elect. 



Rep. 
Kep. 



■\ .Appointed Secretary of Treasury 

Nathan A. Farwell, Rep. 



Lot M. Morrill, 
Wm. Pitt Fessenden, 

[ Appointed by Governor, 

f Hannibal Hamlin, Rep. 

J Wm. Pitt Fessenden, Rep. 
1 Died Sept. 8, 1869. 

Rep. 



Augusta, 
Portland (rs.), 



Rockland (f . v.), 



Banaor, 
Portland, 

Augusta (f. v.), 

Rep. Augusta, 
Secretary of the Treasury. 

Rep'. Augusta (f. v.), 

Rep. Bangor, 

Rep. Augusta (rs.), 

J Appointed Secretary of State (U. S.). 

1 William P. Frye, Kep. Lewiston (f. v.), 

[Eugene Hale," Rep. Ellsworth, 



1861-1863 
1854-1859 
of failure 

1863-1869 
ISbO- 1864 

1864-1865 
1869-1875 



[ Lot M. Morrill 
f t^ot M. Morrill, 
J Appoiir 

1 James G. Blaine, 
[ Hannibal Hamlin 

( James G. Blaine, 



William P. Frye, 
Eugene Hale, 



Rep. 
Rep. 



Lewiston, 
Ellsworth, 



1869-1871 

1871-1876 



1876-1877 
1875-1881 



1881-18S3 
1881-1887 
1883-1889 
1887-1893 



Supreme Judicial Court of Maine: Chief Justices. 



Prentiss jVIellen, Portland, July 1, 1820, to Oct. 22, 1834. 

Nathan Weston, Augusta, Oct. 22, 1834, to Oct. 21, 1841. 

Ezekiel Whitman, Portland, Dec. 10, 1841. Resigned Oct. 23, 1848. 

Ether Slieplev, Portland, Oct. 23, 1848, to Oct. 22, 1855. 

John Searle Teiniev, Norridgewock, Oct. 23,1855, to Oct. 23,1862. 

John Appleton, Bangor, Oct. 24, 1862, to Sept. 19, 1876. 

John A. Peters. Bangor, Sept. 20, 1883. 

* From the Maine Register. 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

Abandoned. Maine, east of Wells, 97 
Abnakilanguage, 126 

Abulition Party, The 267 

Aborigines of .Maine (see Indians), 
Acadia. 52, 120 

Aciidians, French, ti-ansported, 171 
Aeadie, 37 

Acts of Ti-a<le, 171) 

Adams, Jolm 199,200 

Alden, John 4r, 

Alexander, Sir William 

proiirietor of New Scotland, 33 

sells New Scotland, 37 , 

Allan, f'ol. John ' 

a refugee from N. S., 196 

controls the east'n Indians, 196,197 

Amendment to the Constitution, 269 

Anasagunticooks, (Androscoggins), 

57, 71, 72, 112 
Andros, Sir Edmund 

Governor of New England, 88 
sent a prisoner to England, 93 
Annapolis founded, 19 

Antietani. Hattle of 284 

Ai-ea of Maine, 302 

Argal, Capt. Samnel, at Mt. Desert, 27 
Arnold, ISencdict, expedition of, 

throujili -Maine, 191-194 

Aroostook, conflict in 252 

Aroostook county formed, 255 

Ai-rowsic Island, 79, 86, 127 

Assacombiiit, 115 

Augusta (formerly Ciishnoc), 

35, 169, 191, 219, 248, 253 

Banp«r. 2.34, 2.54,270.283,308,309 
• Kan-- I-1m.h1, 79 

Bajitist- liiid refuge in Maine, 44 

I'.ai'iii ( astine's war. 110 

Barric, Capt. Robert 2.32 

Bashaba, The 23, 29, 57 

Bath, 185, 309 

Belcher, (tov. of .Massachusetts, 147 
Belfast taken bv the British. 2.32 

Bellaniont, Earl of. Gov. of Maine, 111 
Bells tolled for oi>pressed Bo.ston, 183 
Bernard. Governor isi 

Berry, (ieneral, killed, 28{'. 

Bethel, raided bv Canada Indians, 20S 
Berwick, 74, 75, 76, 96, 117, 118, 310 
Betterment Act, 218 

Biard. French priest, .at Mt. Desert, 27 
Bidd.tiird isee Saco». :m\ 

Bipuni.il sessions of Legislature, 269 
Bigehnv, :\tt., Arnold's camp near 102 



PAGE 

Bills of credit, 100 

Bingham, Bingham's land, 214, 215 
Black rciiiitatta.-ked, 82,86,87 

BlaUe, < ieneral. at Hampden, 232 

lioats iMiilt at -M.inheL'an, 27 

15..niazeen on .IcMiit teaching, 1-24 

Bonvthon. .Tohn 48 

Bonvthon. Ui.-hard 40 

Border Rutlians, 272 

Boston -Massacre, 182 

Boundaries, 35, 248, 255, 256, 257 

Bounties, state and town 283 

Bowdoin College founded, 216 

Bowdoin, Gov. James 216 

Brackett, Anthony 78 

Br.'iddock's defeat, 170 

Bristol bought of Sainoset, 32 

British Proclamation to East'n Me. ,228 
[ Brock, Rev. John 51 v- 

Brown, John, buys land of Samoset, 32 
Brunswick (Pejepscot), 40, 47, 71, 72, 
100, 102, 110, 128, 127 
Bull Run, Battle of 275, 276 

Bunker Hill, Battle of 186 

Buonaparte, Napoleon 223 

Burnside in conuuand, 284 

superseded by Hooker, 286 

Burton, -'Major 

captured by the British, 206 

escapes front captivity 207 

wCabot, .John and Sebastian 13 ^ 

Calais, 312 

Caleb Cushing, The, destroyed 287 

Call of Pres. Lincoln for men, 278 

for volunteers, 291 

for men by draft, 291 

for 500,001) men, 295 

for:;00,000 men, 295 

Canimock, Thon.as 40 

Canada tall <il I'rench i)ower in 176 

union with, incited 291 

Canal, .-^ebag peiied, 247 

Canibas or Kennebeeks, 57, 112 

Cannilials in the northeast, .58 

Cargill, kills friendlv Indians, 171 

Carriages, 244 

Ciisco Bay. 18, 23, 36, 96 

Cas<'o Neck 'see Portland), 

Ca.<ey, General 279 

Castfne, Baron 90 

driven awav bv the Dutch, 90 

attacked by .Vndros, 90 

peaceful messages to 93 



330 



HISTORY OF MAINE. 



PAGE 

Castine, the younger, ontraje on 113 
wife of , captured, 118 

guides Livingston to Quebec, 120 
carried prisoner to Boston, 126 
Castine captured by the Britisli,201, 202 
brilliant military action at 202 
British garrison re-inforced, 204 
escape of Wadsworthand Bur- 
ton from 200 
again captured by the British, 231 
the iniportance of 2o7 
Centen)iials, 319 
Census of Maine. 215, 314 
Clin.iwi.'k, Vnnl, shot by Malta 

•■ !r. !.:■-.•■ 219 

Cli;i ilerers tried, 221 

Cli:.i,. -! :!ii, i,-'ueral 20St 

(Jli:iur,.H(ii>vHiH, liattle of 286 

Chavlrston retaken for the Union, 295 
( 'hattanooii-a, Battle of 292 

ChaadiereTXhe march to, in 1775, 192 
Cherrvfield Volunteers, 2:3 

I hickamauga. Battle of 292 

Chignecto, Col. Eddvat 196 

Chubb, Capt. " 108 

Church, Beniamin, Major, in com- 
mand in Maine, 95 
Church, Major, 2d exp. to Maine, 100 
goes up thp Penobscot, 106 
ascends the river to Oldtown, 109 
takes spoil in Bay of Fundy, 109 
again goes East, 1 18 
Church, customs in 149, 150 
Cilley, Jona.. killed in a duel. 250, 251 
Civil outbreaks in Lower Canada, 250 
Clark and Lalce, fort of, attacked, 79 
Climate, 325 
Coeheco (Dover) a second time 

destroyed, ins 

Cold winter, A, and late spring, 239 
Columbus, Christopher, voyages 13 
Collier, Sir George, defeats Sal- 

toustall, 203 

Colonization, Father of American 45 

Conquest of M aine, 54 

Congress, Maine represented in 215 

Provincial 183 

Continental 194 

Constitution, State, adopted, 241 

amended, 269 

Continental Congress, 194 

Converse, Capt., at Wells, 104 

put in command iu Maine, 107 

Cony, Gov., calls for volunteers, 294 

Cornwall, county of 53 

mailp a part of Massachusetts, 55 

Corn w:\llis surrenders atYorktown,207 

County of Canada, 40 

Court in Maine. 42 

Courts in Maine, 53 

iu Yorkshire. 48 

Cromwell prevails in England, 44, 50 

Cruelty to family of Squando, 70 

Cumberland County formed, 178 

Currency, Continental 199 



PAGE 

Cushnoc, Pilgrim trading-house 
there, 35 

fort at 169 

Customs of the people in 1820, 244. 245 

Daraariscotta 32, 109 

Danforth. President, at Wells, 102 
I)'Auliiey,dep.-gov. of Penobscot, 39 
l>avis, Captain 79, 86 

Dead River, Arnold on 192 

Dearborn, Henry 191 

Am. commander-in-chief, 224 

Deerfield attacked by Indians, 117 
Democrats, 265, 266 

Democratic Republicans. 266 

DeMonts explores the Maine coast, 18 / 
Dermer, Capt. Thomas 30 

D'Estaing, Count,' in America, 201 
Devonshire, first Cornwall, 55 

Disasters in Maine. 179, 239, 319, 320 
Discoverers of America, 13 

Districts, Commercial, of Maine, 215 
Dixy Bull, piracies on Me. coast, 38 
captured and hung, 39 

Dogs, 25, 31, 163 

Dover, IST. H., burned by Indians, 94 
Dow, Neal, author of "Maine Law,"261 
Draft, call for troops by 282 

commissioners appointed, 283 

Dresden, a fort built in 169 

Dress of Puritan ministers, 149 

of the people, 15.3 

after the Revolution, 210 

of Indians after Revolution, 212 
Duchambon, Gov. of Louisburg, 156 
Dudley, Joseph, Gov. of Maine, 112 
Dmumer, Gov., and the Indians, 143 
Du Quesne, Fort, captured, 174 

Dunbar, Col. David 

surveyor of the royal woods, 146 
settles towns with Protestants, 147 
conflict with squatters, 147 

Dutch, The, in Maine, 19, 52 

in New York subdued, 55 

regain New York, 55 

at "(Castine, 90 

F^astport taken by the British, 227 
burned, 312 

Eddy, Col. .Tonathan, raid of, on 

IS ova Scotia, 195 

Education, 123, 150, 151, 216, 243, 313, 

314, 315 

Elizabeth, captivity of 72 

Elizabetii, Cape, Chui-ch skirmishes 

with Indians at 101 

Emancipation proclaimed, 285 

Embarao, The 204 

Embargo of 1812, 224 

Eujigrants from Maine, 239 

Enlistments, term of, 274, 275 

Enterprise and Boxer, Battle of 225 
Etechemins, 57 

Exportation of goods prohibited, 204 
Ewell's raid north of Washington, 294 



INDEX. 



331 



Faliuoiitli (l'ojtl;i 
l.uttU- ot .'M:i 



. depmlati .lis in M\ 

ll(ll-d. IS'.i 

tf. 214 

.... 320 

hici' 1S-.0 tolt<i^O, 2',i9, 300 
> a. Ill Aiiti-Fi'tU'i-alists, 2(i5 
.itlaiiil. 



I PAGE 

i Gorges, William 40 

I (iorl.am sutYers bv Iiidiaiis, 102, 1G6 

(misik.IiI. Hiiitholbmew 14 

'iossi-lin, (!ei. (Jerard, takes pos- 

.vcssioi. ot HolfHSt. 232, 236 

Giivcn.mciit of State removed, 248 

[ (ioveinuients. Six, in JIaiiie, 45 



Faiii. p 
Fed.-ial 

rill- i.. r..itlaiid. 310 

Fii>i I :].ulj>li . oloiiv for .Maine. 20 

First lriul> of culture ii. Mai...-. 15 

Fisheries, -04 

Flag, Aiiierii ill. -14 

detViii-e of our -.5 

Forot area of .Maii.e. ..Mo 

Fort Fi. d.-ii.K a.vsailed. 159 

Fortiliiatioii.- in .Maine. L'Sf? 

Forts of Mail esrarrisoned. 274 

Fox Islands discovered, 14 

France takes New Scotland, 37 

resumes control of Fast' ii Me., .">5 

and Spain at war with Enj;., l.')5 

Frankfort taken by the Uritisfi, 232 

a party of British captured at 236 

Franklin couiitv fornied, 251 

Fredericksburj;', J'.attle of 285 

Frcedii.cn in I'nion armv, 285, 286 

Free .•<oil I'arty, The 267 

French. The, on the .Maine coast, 18 

wirl.diaw from .Maine, 98 

at Wells, 104 

and Indian war. Old 110 

fail to retake Louisburg, 164,165 

Xeutials removed from I\.cadia,171 

power in the Xortli broken, 176 

Friendship (ileduiicooki. 174 

Frost, Maj.. sent against Indians, 84 

Frve <'ii:'iiilain, killed in Love- 

wcir>ii-l.t. 139 

Fryeliurj;.>iene of I.oveweirsflght,137 
i'ryer's. (apt., misha)), 83 

Fundy, Bay of, Col. Church in 109, 118 
Fusiouists, 268, 269, 270 



overnors of .Maine, 

Kinc, 

Williamson (acting") 

Farris, 

Lincoln, 

Hunton, 

Smith. 

Dun lap, 

Kent, 

Fairfield, 

.\nder9on. 

Dana, 

Hubbard, 

Crosbv, 

.Alorriil, A. P., 

Wells, 

Hamlin. 

Williams (acting), 

iMorrill, Lot M., 

Washburn, 

Coburn, 

Cony, 

Chamberlain, 

Perham. 

Dingley, 

Connor, 

Garcelon, 

Davis, 

Plaisted, 

Robie, 

Hodwell, 

Burleigh, 319 

Grandfathers and grandmothers. 209 
Granite, 300, 301 

Grant, General 292, 294 

Greenl)ack Party, The 268 

Gyles, Judge, and party, Indian 
victims. 91,92 



241, 243 

242 

247 

247 

247, 266 

247, 266 

249, 266 

250, 257, 266 

252, 257, 266 

266 

266 

261,266 

262 

2G(i, 267 

263, 267 



273, 274, 276 
291 
294 
318 



318 

318 

269, 318 

269, 318 

270, 31S 
270, 318 

319 



Gage, General, in Boston, 181 

ai.pointed governor, 182 

Gariliner, Dr. Svlvester 218 

GendcU, <aptaiii Walter 91 

(icor-i'.l-ort, attacked by Indians. 127 
<ieori:ia )ilaies restrictions on 

.Maine vcss.-la, 2.-i0 

(ieniiai. colonists. 147, 215 

Gett\sbniY, battle of 28',) 

Gilbert, (apt. Ualeigh admiral of 

I'oliliaii.s expcditon, 23 

(iilead laided bv Canada IiuUans, 2"7 
GoiUi-.y. i:dwaid 40, 47 

(i Is. British, oppress our man- 
ufacturers. 2S9 
Gorgeana, city of 43 
Gorges, Sir Ferdinando 29, .30, 33. , 

34. 35, 40, 41, 44, 55 H 
Robert 35 I H 



Halifax, Fort 123, 168, 

Hanmiond, Richard, a settler at 
Woolwi.-h, 

Hampden, conflict at 
Ijillaged, 

Hancock, John 183, 

General 

Hard times in Elaine, 

Harmon, Captain 127, 

Hardv, Sir Thomas 

Harvard College, 

Hawthorn, Capt. 81 

Holidavs. 320, 

Holmes, Dr. Ezekiel 

Hopehood, 

Horse, troop of, at Portsmouth 
■ Wells, 
ouses, construction of 1.52, 

oward. General 27r., 2S<i, 



332 



HISTORY OF MAINE. 



PAGE 

HiibViard. Governor John 261 

Hull, Gen., surrenders Detroit 224 
Huiiuiwell, bravado of 116, 117 

Hunt. Thomas, kidnaps Indians, 28 
Hutchinson, Gov. Thomas 181, 182 

Iberville at Pemaquid, 107, 108 

Ice, 301 

Immigration to Maine, 212, 313, 314 
Impressment of Am. seamen, 223 

Independence declared, 195 

Independence of Am. conceded, 208 
Indeiieiident Republicans, 208 

Indian old Point, site of Ralle's 

villa-e. 134 

Indian wars in ]irospect, 56 

Indian view nf the white people, 69 
Indians of Maine, 

appearance of 15, 17, 59 

tribes of 57 

dress of 58 

remains of 58, 59 

doniestic customs of 59 

dwellings of 60 

hunting of 61 

implements of 61 

social customs of 62 

sports of 63 

hygiene and medicine of 64 

religious system of 64 

state-craft of 64, 65 

language of 65 

names of 65 

education of 65, 66, 123 

inscriptions of, on rocks, 65, 6G 
numbers of 69, 177 

Indians' wives and children re- 
stored to them, 101 
rights, 124 
Indians eared for by Mass. gov't, 184 
Indians, raid Androscoggin towns, 2()8 
Insane asylum established, 257 



Jameson, Charles D. 268, 

James II. abdicates, 
Jackson, Dr. Chas. T., survey by 
Gen , victory over the British, 
" Stonewall," mort'y wounded, 
Jamestown, destroyed, 
Jesuits, French, among the In- 
dians, 68, 
Jewell's Island, 
Jordan, Rev. Robert 
Josselyn, Henry 40 



Kancamagiis, wives and children 

of, captured, 101 

Kansas, 272 

Kenduskeag, Indian village at 14a 
Kennebec, British driven from 184,204 
Kennebec patent sold, 218 

Kennei ec, Popham's colony on 20 
Kennebec, shipbuilding on 23, 304 
Kennebec steamer, 245 



I PAfiE 

Kennebeeks, or Canibas, 57 

Ki<kl, Captain, the pirate. 111 

j Killed in ttrst seas n of first In- 
dian war, 76 
I King Charles, persecutes emigrants, 41 
overc>ome, 44. 
K'iiii;, .Major-General, orders out 

tlie militia, 236 

Kiiiu I'liilip's war begins, 71 

Iviimtield. oiijiosition to draft in 290 

Kiiius Dnrk ill r.ath, The 185 

KiH.vv Xnthiiiu Partv The 267 

Knnx.Ceii. Heni-v. early life of 216,217 

brave'-y at Hunker Hill, 217 

brigadier-general of artillery, 218 

Secretary of War, 218 

removes to Thomaston, 218 

Laconia, 31, 36 ^ 

Land and water area of Maine, 

302, 303, 308 
Land grants, 213 

Lane's Island, savage carousal on 91 
La Tour Imys New Scotland, 37 

'La Tour's contest withD'Aulney, 39 
Legislature, patriotism of the Me. 273 
Legislatures, Two 269 

Leverett, Captain John 53 V 

Levett. Captain, meets Samoset, 31 
Lewiston, 100, .306, 309, 312 

Lewiston Light Infantry, 273 

Lexington, Battle of 184 

Lighttoot, Captain, feat of 95 

Lincoln county formed, 178 

Lincoln, Pres., election of 272 

; Liquor Law in Maine, first 41 

I Liquor Law of iilaine, 259, 264 

Liquors, intoxicating, sent out of 

the State, 261 

Liquor riot in Portland, 262 

Liquors, cost of 264 

Little Belt fires on the President, 224 
Livingston, Major, bears a mes- 
sage to Canada, 120 
London Compaay, The, sends ships 

to Virginia, 20 

Lottery Tewiisliii's. 214 

LouisbuiL;, e\ I UN 111 ion against 1.5.5-158 

captm .(1 ;i -rroiiil time, 174 

LovehK'e siircieils Xicliols, 54 

Lovell, Gen., expedition to Castine,201 
Love well, Captain, excursions of , 

no th. 136 

Lovewell's Pond, 137 

Lovewell's fight, 1.37-142 

Lovewell's war ends. 
Loyal, Fort, Major Cliurch at 
"garrisoned by Maj. Church, 

garrisoned by militia, 

cai)itulates to Indi.ins, 

again attackefl, 
Lu>nber, 

Lutherans in Maine, 
Lygonia, or Plough Patent, 



113 



96 
97 

lie 

3it2, 303 

147, 215 

36, 43 



333 



I'AflE 



jMadiiiis. I'ilffiiiii 
in.^iMMi.ture 



38 ' Militurv divisions. 



.Maihiv 



, vessels,lSO,187 

195 

1!)7 

l)v Uritisli, 197, 198 

(Idjied. 23G 

■aiitme British, 236, 237 

ri|ireseiited in the 

■(,f .Mrtine, 248 

t i.f tlie liritisli in 249 

Mado-Vcawando, S3, »■>, 104 

Mails in IS'Jo. -.'45 

Main.-, pinvin.-i- ..f 42 

.listri.t of 201 

adniitte.l to the Union, 240, 241 

contriliuti.m i)f, to the war for 

til.- Union, 297 

men, tribute to 278, 285 

Maltii war. The 219, 220. 221, 22?, 223 



Manhattan, 


52,88 


Manuta -tures of 




boots and shoes. 


30G, 307 


l)utter. 


300 


i-ann.-il foods, 


301 


ClK-.-S.-. 


30(1 


cotton, 


.':iiii 


iron. 


.■;ii."i 


leatlit-r board, 


r,0o 


linnb.-r. 


303 


pajier and wood pulp. 


303 


starch, 


300 


sliops and boots. 


306, 307 


wood pulp. 


303 


woole!,s. 


305, ,306 


Ma.pioit. 


100, 102 


Manli. Major, expeditions ; 


;igainst 


thcln.lians. 109,117,119 


Maic I'oint. 


84, 109 


>hu-.'cbitis, 


57 


Marpiretta, The, captured, 


ISO 


Martha's Vinevard. 


30 


Mason, <apt. John 


.34 


Masons. Tb.> 


244 


Massa.-liM-cttsBay Colony, 


36 


ii\ i-.- li.-r boundary. 


47 


rc>i>t. .1 ii, Maine, 


47 


nil.- ^niij^ht. 


52 


n- .■>i:ii.iislieslierruleii 


1 York- 



-o\(-iiiniont extended to Mic 

Kiiiii.-bec, 55 

gov.-riniient extended to the 
IViiobscot, 55 

Masst\ I- i-t-nch priest, at Mt. De- 
sert. 27 
Mather, Cotton 111 
^Mavooslieen , 58 
McCl.Mlan superseded bv Hurnside,284 
.Aleade Mip.rsedes llool<or. L's;t 
Ml.. \. ill. -Ills ot. in Virginia, 292 
<-ro>s,^- til.- Itaiiidan, 292 
Jle.luiicook ^^Frieiidship) attacked 

bv Indians, 174 

Jleirvnieetint: Bav. 85, 126 

Micinacs. 57, 127 



I'AGE 
194 

weapons. 48 

Militia organized in Yorkshire, 4s 

of Maine, 273, 274 

Mining, 302 

Ministers, Early, 

Whiteti.-ld, Uev. George 147, 155 

Brock, Rev. John 51 

Jordan, Kev. Robert 50 

.Moody, Rev. Samuel, 148 

Seymour, Rev. Kichard 22 

Missi.iiiaries to Indians, 123 

.Mohegans, 118 

Moha ', k Indians, 86, 127, 128 

Money in the K.-volution, 199 

liaper, tirst, in America, lUO 

Monhegau Island, 13, 14 

Marks on 13 

Capt. J. Smith builds boats at 27 

a refuge from Indians, 80 

Monm..uth, I'.attle of 201 

.Moodv, K.-v. Samuel 148 

Mo.is.-h.-art l.aU.-. 312 

.Moralit\ , .l.-pn->>ed bv war, 238, 239 

Mon-is. Captain Charl.-s 232 

Moult(>ii,(apt..at .N.M-rid':ew'k.l29, 131 

Mount Des.-n s.-tth-.l. ' 27 

Mowatt, Captain 

at Falmouth (I'ortland), 184 

I takes guns from Fort Townal, 184 
185 
188-190 

on the Tenobscot, 201 

Moxus. 92, 104, 115, 122 

Munjov Hill, Indian slaughter on 97 
Mugg," 82, 83, 84, 87 

Muscongus Patent, 36, 216 



Kahanada, 21 

Natiek Indians, 81 

Navy of the Confederacy, 286, 287 
Neddo.-k, Cape, suffers bv the 

Indians, " 82, 102 

Kewa<;en, Cape, settlement of 37 

New Brunswick, 120 

New Dartin.juth, 54 

New England Comi)any, 33, 34, 36 

territory of, divided, 40 

New Hampshire, origin of 36 

Xewi.hawamoek (Berwick), 74, 75, 96 
New ^Meadows Kiver, 71 

Newrv raided by Canada Indians, 207 
Ne^y Scotland, 34, 37, 120 

New Somersetshire, 40 

Newspapers in Maine, 214, 240, 317.31s 
Nichols, Governor for Dukeof York, 53 
Nicholson leads a force against 

Acadia, 120 

Norridgew.}.-k, 118,126, 131-13fi 

North Yarmouth, 91 

, Nova Scotia. 120, 170, 195 

I Norwegians in America, 13 



Oakland, 



305 



334 



HISTORY OF MAINE. 



Ohio emigration, 
Openaiigoes, 
Osslpee ponds, 

Kond, 

River, 
Oyster beds, 

Parties, political 
Passamaquoddy poml 



ou 



118, 227-229, 23G 
5.' 
69 
180, 181 
138, 140 



Passamaquoddies, 

Passaconaway, 

Patriots, American 

Paugus, 

Peak's Island, 

Pitt, William 180 

Pejepsi-ot, 47, 100, 104 

purchase of 218 

Pemaquid, 54, 91, lOG, 108 

Patent, 37, -'18 

Penuacooks, 69, 81, 112 

Penobscot Bay and River, 13, 14, 18, 39, 

40, 53, 90, 106, 109, 129, 174, 

201-207, 214, 231-237, 243 

Indians. 29, 172 

Peiihallow, Captam 12G 

Pequods, 118 

Pepperell, Sir William 155 

Perry, Commodore 227 

Persecution, 50 

Pestilence, 29, 69 

' Philip, King 71,78 

Phillips, Major William 73 

Phipps, Sir William 

96, 98, 99, 100, lOG, 111 
Pigwacket (Pequaket), 116 

Pine trees, 213 

Pilgrims, The 31,34,35,38 

Piscataqua, 44 

Piscataquis County, 251 

Plaisted, Lieut. Roger 75 

Plymouth (Eng.) Company, 20, 33, 218 
' Patent, 218 

Political parties, 265 

Popham, Capt. George 20, 23, 25, 34 

colony, 34 

Population of Maine, 215, 314 

Porpoise, Cape 115 

Portland (Casco Neck), 72, 88, 95, 97, 
112, 115, 116, 129, 166, 185, 
188-190, 262, 263, 287, 319, 320 i 
Portsmouth, 76, 121 

Powual, Gov. Thomas 174, 178, 179 
Port Royal, 19, 120 

Portneuf (BurnefE't, 104 j 

Potomac, Army of 278 i 

Preble, Commodore 225 | 

Presumpscot River, 47, 72 i 

Prices in the Revolution, 199 

and production in the Rebel- 
lion period, 299 
Pring, Martin, voyage of, to Maine, 14 j 
Proctor, Lieutenant 161 
Prohibitory Law against liquors, 259 

lirst effective, 261 ' 



PAGE 

Prohibitory Law annulled, 263 

re-established. 264 

in the State Constitution, 264 

Prohibitionists, 270 

Prospect, a fort built in 174 

Provincial Conaress, 183 

l'iini>liiiii-iirs ill Yorkshire, .50 

l-ui-.li;i>,Tlioi,ias 40,47,71,72 

I'liMtiui.- ^.Tiuv a ^rant, 36 

oppose (iorges, 41 

preaching and laws, 148 

customs, 1.50 

Purpooduck, massacre at, 115 

Putnam, Major Per ley 227 

Quakers, or Friends, 44, 53 

Quarrying of granite, 301 -^ 

slate," 302 

Quebec, 175, 194 

Queen Anne's war, 115, 122 

Quoddy Indians, 57 

Quota of Maine, 282 

Raid, rebel, above Washington 294 
Railroads, 257, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 
Ralle,the Jesuit missionary, 126,129,132 
Razilla, General 39 

Rebel gove't flies from Richmond, 295 
Recruitiiii,'. .-i-s.^atiou of, ordered, 281 
RedRiV( 1, liaiik- expedition up 292 
Regiuiciii. Kirst .Mrtiue 274 

Second Maine 274 

others authorized, 277 

Regiments in the field, 275 

in the war, 297 

Religious freedom in Maine, 50 

Republican Party of 1820, 265 

of 1880, 265, 267, 272 

Republicans, Liberal, 268 

Reverses to the Union arms, 281, 282 
Revolution, ftrst act of, in Maine, 182 
Revolutionary War, 184-208 

Richmond, 35, 128 

Va., rebel government fly from 295 
entered by Union troops, 296 

Richmond's Island, 83 

Ric-bv, Sir Alexander 43 ^ 

Riol, li(]uoi-. in Portland, 262 

Mii-.tA, iiiilitarv, to Madawaska, 250 
KolMii ilood sells Woolwich, 37 

Robbinston visited by the British, 228 
Rockland, 302, 310 

Rocroft, Captain Edward 30 

Kogers, Col., destroys St. Francis, 175 
Roman Catholics, Indians become 68 
Rowles' prophecy, 70 

Rys wick, treaty of 109 

Sabino, 22 

Saco, 72, 73. 101. 107 

Sagadahoc, 101 

Saint Francis Indians, 127, 165, 175 
Saint George's River, 

123, 126, 129. 159, 16 
Saint Sauveur (see Mount Desert), 2 



INDKX. 



336 



TAtiE 

SaltonstuU, Coiniuo<loie 203 

Sauioset, 31, 32 

S<';il|)r>, liounty tor Indian l^S 

Scamnion. Colonel liS4 

SoiU-l«orough, 82, 117. 12!l 

Scenery, 2S. 322, 323 

Schools and Colleges, 150, 151, 210, 24:5, 
315-317 
School u^^ag■es, 150, 151 

Schools for Indians, 123 

Scoutiiifi in Southern Maine, 171 

S<-oteh-lrisli in .Alaiue, 215 

Scott, General AVinlield 254, 255 

Sea line of .Alaine, 322 

Seal of the state of Maine, 242 

Sebajio I'oiul, 247 

Secession. 272 

Sedgwick, Major Robert 53 

Seguin, 22 

Seiiaration from Massachusetts, 240 
SettleuKiits in Maine, 

.MMiditii.u of 101. 102 

east nf IVuobseot, 17;) 

Settlers at Arrowsic warned, 12ij 

come into Maine, 145 

Seymour. Itichard, preaches to 

i'ophain's colony, 22 

Sheepsoit IMantat'ion, 37, 53, 09 

Sherbr.K.k, Sir John 232 

SlK-riilan. (i.-iieral 295,290 

81irn,i;.M. (■■■n.-ral 274,205 

Sliipi.iiiL.i;;,-, 23, 27, ;:!04 

-Mill. ',. I'-Mlf 100 

>lii,i.-. iMivcrnor 174 

Shurtu, Aiii-ahaiu 78 

Sickles, Gt-neral 200 

Simmo, Captain 112 

Siuicn, the I'ankee Killer, 78, 85 

Sixth Inilian War, 172 

Slate. 302 

Slavery, 241,263 

Slave i'ower, The 250 

Slaves. Indians sold for 78 

.Snow-shoeing for Indians, 117 

Smith. Captain John 27, 28 

Snmggling, 237 

Social life after the Revolution, 211 

usages in Maine, 150, 154 

Sokokis, 29, 57, 112, 137 

Soldiering, 277 

Soldiers, British, arrive in Boston, 181 
Soldiers of Maine, qualities of 278 

return of 296 

South wick, Ciijitain 110 

Sqnando. the Sokokis. 70, ^5 

Squanto, one of Hunt's captives, 3it 
Squatters, 218 

Stage-coaches, 244, 245 

Staniii Act, 180 

Staff House of .Maine built, 249 

Statistics of -Me. in 1810, 1820, 240, 244 

1850, 1880, 188C, 298-316 

Steamboats in Maine, 245, 240, 304 

Stinson's Foint attacked by Indians, 79 



PAGE 

Subercase yields Acadia, 120 

Sullivan, Fort, surrendered to the 

liritish, 227 

Surrender of the Rebel army, 296 
S«ain(>. .Major, attacks the Indians, 95 
Swan Island, .Major Church meets 

the Indians at 107 

Sw<>disli ( olony. The 314 

Swctt, Captain Benjamin 87 

Tarratines, .57, 82, 112 

Taxes, Import 179 

Tea-<'hests emptied in lioston 

Harbor, 1«2 

Teaching of Jesuits, 124 

Teconnet, * 7s, lu7, 112 

Telegrapli, 312 

Temperance movement begins, 257 

societies. 258-261 

reform in .Alaine, 259 

Sons of 200 

parties, 207 

Templ«, Sir Thos., Gov. of Acadia, 53 i 

Thomaston, 302 

Thrift of settlers, 42 

Topsham. 127, 164 

Torture of captives by Indians, 

01, 04, 106, 127 

Towns and Plantations, 56, 177 

laid out, 145, 213 

Township, lottery 214 

Tozier, house ot, defended by a 

young lady, 74 

Traveling in" Maine in 1820, 244, 245 

Treaties with Indians, 88, 107, 100, 110, 

112,113,121,122, 143,166 

Treaty of Breda, 55 

Ryswick, 109 

Utrecht, 121 

Paris, 208 

Ghent, 237 

AVebster-Ashburton, 255 

Trees of Maine. 213 

Tribute to Maine men, 278, 285 

Troops, .Alaine, in the Revolution, 

184, 185 
Tucker, Commodore Sam'l 199-201, 229 
Tyng, Colonel Edward 155 

Vaughn, Lieut.-Col. William 155 

Vessels building 23,27,30 

captured by Indians, 88 

saved by a breeze, 105 

burned by British, 235 

Vines. Ilichard 29 

Virginia Company, north and 

south. 20 

Volunteers <'alled for, 273 

Voting allowed to non-Puritans, 50 

Wadsworth, Gen. Peleg 202.205,206,207 

Waldo patent, 36, 175, 216 

.Samuel, Brig.-Gen 147, 155, 175 

Waldoborongh, 147, 163 



HISTORY OF MAINE. 



PAGE 
84, 85, 93 
81,93 

72, 70 



Waldroii, Major 77, 78, 
Waldroii'a Ruse, 
Wakely, Elizabeth 

Walton, Colonel, i:iii 

Wampum, 36 

War, First Indian 68 

King Philip's 71 

First Indian, ends, 89 

First French and Indian 90 

Queen Anne's 115 

Lovewell's 136-143 

King George's 155 

Last Indian (sixth) 169-177 

of Independence (the Revolu- 
tion), 184-208 
of 1812-14, 223 
Aroostook, The 252-255 
of Slaveholder's Rebellion, 273,297 
effect of, on morals, 238 
Warren, Commodore 156 
Waslungton bnrnt by the British, 227 
George 167 
Washingtonians, The 259 
Waterpower of IMaine, 308 
Waterville. 243 
Wawennoek Tribe, The 23,29,57. 69, 136 
Wells, 76, 83, 102, 104, il5, 121 



Westbrook, Colonel 

Western, Fort 

Weymouth, Captam George 

Wharton, Richard 

Whig, A, chosen Governor, 
Partv, The 

AVhitefleld, Rev. George 147. 

Wilderness, Battle of the 

William and Mary. 

William and Mary's War, 

Williamsburgh, Battle of 278, 

Williams, Joseph H. 

Williamson, William D. 

Windham, 

Winnepesauke Lake, 

Winslow, Captain Josiah 

Winter Harbor, 
i Wiscasset, 
I Witchcraft, 
j Woolwich, 
I Worumbee, 

AVoods, The King's 

Yarmouth, 
York, Duke of 
York, town of 
Yorktown , 



PAGE 

126, 128 

169, 191 

14, 16 

218 

262 

266 

148, 156 

292, 293 

93 

110 



36, 172 


173 




47 


129 


130 


115 


119 


165, 


236 




111 


3 


,79 


101 


104 




146 




160 


40,53 


43.86 


103 


207 


278 



